British Columbia Government Reverses Pledge To Support 2011 Outgames

The British Columbia provincial government is reneging on verbal pledges to support the 2011 Outgames in Vancouver.

When planning the games in 2007 and 2008, Outgames chair John Boychuk says representatives from "ministries associated with sport" initially made a verbal promise to contribute $400,000 to the event. Eventually that verbal commitment was reduced to $150,000 to $200,000. "A year later they told us that things were a little bit tight but on track," Boychuk says. "After 18 months they said, 'We can't continue to commit to any amount.'" Boychuk says the uncertainty surrounding government funding pushed Outgames organizers to move from planning a volunteer-run event to working with a corporate partner. International Conference Services (ICS) will now provide secretarial, sponsorship, accommodation, registration and accounting services for the event, according to Boychuk.

The partnership with ICS will also give Vancouver's Outgames the backing it needs to secure facilities for the event. "In order to be secure a hotel contract you have to have money to be able to back up what you're asking for," Boychuk explains. "So if you're asking for 250 hotel rooms for five nights you have to put up a bond or credit card. We don't have the cash to do such a thing so we have to have someone with that line of credit." Boychuk is still hopeful that the 2011 Outgames will receive provincial funding.

The 2006 Outgames in Montreal ended C$5.3M in debt.

Bombing At Copenhagen Outgames

UPDATE: Initial press reports described the explosive devices as "small bombs," but Danish media is merely describing them as "powerful firecrackers."

The World Outgames in Copenhagen were interrupted yesterday when four explosive devices were hurled onto a running track. One athlete suffered an injury to his hand. American competitors Sam Felker and Keith Little write on their blog:

The camaraderie of the Outgames was temporarily broken this afternoon when unknown assailants tossed two explosive devices onto the track during the start of a relay," the men wrote on their blog. "One runner who was in a starting position near the explosions sustained a minor injury to his hand and was treated at the scene by paramedics. The large crowd of athletes and spectators was stunned by what can only be described as a hate crime attack. Competition resumed after consulting with the athletes who were determined not to let this incident succeed in stopping the Outgames. Police were called to the scene and were searching the premises when two more devices exploded on the track. Shortly thereafter the police arrested a suspect who was seen fleeing from a nearby church tower where it is believed the attack was launched. Police are still searching for a second suspect.

On Saturday, two local men were also arrested for the gay-bashings of three visiting athletes in central Copenhagen. All three victims were hospitalized after being kicked and beaten. There are 5000 competitors at this year's Outgames.