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With the 2022 Hong Kong Gay Games less than two years away, organisers are confident that the next edition of the quadrennial event will be a success.

Despite the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic and ongoing unrest in Hong Kong, a recent online webinar saw the two year countdown for the world’s largest LGBTQ sports competition and arts and cultural event.

Members of the Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 organising team, which is an arm of the US-based Federation of Gay Games, advised that they expect 12,000 participants, 75,000 spectators, and 3,000 volunteers - a total of at least 90,000 from 100 countries - to take part in the 11th edition of the Games.

With events to be centred on the Hong Kong Stadium (pictured below), 36 sporting events are planned, including traditional football, wrestling, volleyball and figure skating as well as sports more common in Asia such as dragon boat racing, dodgeball, eSports, and trail running.

An outdoor Festival Village will be opened near the harbour in central Hong Kong that will showcase art and cultural events and exhibits as well as performing arts events including daily performances by bands, dance groups, and vocalists that have been associated with the Gay Games for many years, according to literature released by organisers.

Members of the organising team also pointed to the historic first of the Hong Kong Gay Games marking the first time in its 40-year history that the event will be held in Asia.

Dennis Philipse, founder and co-chair of Gay Games Hong Kong, explained “unity is the key message of Gay Games Hong Kong.

“Carrying a torch of empowerment and connection in Hong Kong serves to bring our community together in this important time for our city

“We are excited to welcome all the 12,000 participants and 75,000 spectators from 100 countries to the city as the Games serve to boost the local economy by HK1 billion Hong Kong.”

Mindful of events of the past year, Federation of Gay Games spokesperson Shiv Paul told the Washington Blade in a statement that the Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 organising team has created a contingency planning committee that has developed plans to address “potential scenarios/risks such as an on-going pandemic, social unrest or unseasonal weather events.

“We are closely monitoring the health, political, sporting, travel, and international events that could impact the delivery of Gay Games 11 in Hong Kong.

“Plans are in development so that we have prepared actions that would assist in mitigating the potential impact of any unfortunate circumstances that might arise.”

Click here for more information about Gay Games Hong Kong 2022.

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