Paris Opens Arms for Gay Games 2018

(ATR) More than 10,000 competitors from 80+ nations are expected in Paris over the next week for the 2018 Gay Games.

It’s the tenth edition of the games, held every four years since 1982.

The program includes 36 sports, most of them mainstays of other multi-sport events.

While billed as Gay Games, the competition is open to all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation.

Although teams will come to Paris from across the globe, the playing of the Marseilles and raising of the French flag is the only formal national recogniton. And that will be one time only, during the opening ceremony August 4 in 20,000 seat Stade Jean Bouin.

In response to concerns from China, the 28 athletes from Taiwan has been settled with those competitors listed as from capital city Taipei, not Taiwan.

"Recent events regarding participants from Taiwan and China have elevated the need for the Federation of Gay Games to state its position on matters at hand regarding nationality, ethnic origin and political beliefs," a statement from the FGG says.

"It is a fundamental principle of the FGGthatall activities conducted shall be inclusive in nature, and that no individual shall be excluded from participating on the basis of sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, athletic/artistic ability, physical challenge, age, health status, nationality, ethnic origin, or political belief(s)," the statement says.

"No flags are provided to participants in any events, and no national hymns are played during regular events; exception being host country national anthems at the opening ceremony," the statement continues.

French Minister of Sport Laura Flessel says the Gay Games are an event that represents the inclusiveness of Paris.

"From the start of this project, I chose to make a commitment beside the team of Paris 2018 - as a professional athlete, as a sports enthusiast but also as a woman and as a citizen. This is why I invite you right now to join us: the Gay Games are a big party in which each can participate," she says.

The Gay Games began in 1982 in San Francisco as the Gay Olympics. The IOC blocked the use of the trademark moving forward, however. There is no association either with the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Hong Kong will host the 2022 edition, the first in Asia.

Reported by Ed Hula.