Tel Aviv gay pride (archives)
Photo: Oren Agmon
Tel Aviv recruits gay athletes for 2009 World Outgames
Municipality begins forming team of some 30 homosexual athletes to represent Israel in gay sporting event in Denmark this summer
The 2009 World Outgames are coming, and Tel Aviv has begun assembling its team of gay and lesbian athletes to be sent to the event in Copenhagen, Denmark this summer.
In recent weeks, a delegation of homosexual athletes, the first of its kind in Israel, has been making preparations ahead of the 2nd annual sporting and cultural event hosted by the global gay community.
On Wednesday night a meeting was held between the organizers of the Israeli team and the athletes that have already joined to compete in sports such as volleyball, ballroom dancing and women's soccer.
World Outgames athletes
The team's organizers aim to form a team of some 30 athletes including athletes from other fields as well, such as men's soccer, basketball, swimming, and track and field athletics.
The games are open to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders.
The municipality is now examining the scope of the budget it can allocate to the event, but it seems a great part of the flight and accommodation expenses will be funded by the participants themselves.
Alongside the professional competitions, light-hearted amateur games will also take place.
The criteria for admission to the team have not yet been determined, but in the coming months the proud team will be busy training and preparing for the event.
A Tel Aviv-style beach experience in celebration of the city's centennial will also be featured at the event. The compound will include a nighttime escapade in the form of a beach party, headed by some of Israel's leading DJs.
