by Rex Wockner
Vancouver has been selected to host the 2011 North American Continental Outgames, one of the regional gay sports olympics that came into existence in 2006 when the Gay Games had a falling-out with planned host city Montreal.
The Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association of North America made the announcement Oct. 26.
Up to 5,000 athletes are expected to attend, spending around $12 million, in addition to money spent by non-athlete attendees.
GLISA sanctions a World Outgames every four years and smaller Continental Outgames in between the world events. The first world games were in Montreal in 2006 and the second games will be in Copenhagen in 2009. The first North American Continental Outgames were in Calgary in 2007 and the first Pacific Continental Outgames were held this year in Melbourne, Australia.
