Miami may never host the Olympics, and our hopes of future Super Bowls are in doubt, but don't worry, we're still a major destination for international sporting competitions. In fact, Miami Beach just beat out Reykjavík, Iceland, to host the World Outgames in 2017.
The Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association collected bids from locations through out the world, including Los Angeles, Manchester and Tonga, but ultimately paired it down to two before opening it up to voting. Maybe it's not much of a surprise that more members favored Miami Beach over Iceland.
The Outgames are an amateur competition opened to anyone regardless of sexual orientation that split off from the Gay Games in 2006. The games have been hosted in Montreal, Copenhagen, and later this year in Antwerp. Miami Beach will be the first American host.
While Miami Beach will be the headlining city, events will be held through out Miami-Dade. Lummus Park, Flamingo Park, Tamiami Park, the University of Miami, the Ransom Everglades School Aquatic Center and Miami Beach Convention Center were presented as venues in the bid.
The bid, in the works since 2009, was backed by a number of local leaders, including former County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and University of Miami president Donna Shalala.
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