Press information
May 2007  

WorldOutgames is starting to take shape

Only a few months after the team behind WorldOutgames 2009 started working on the project, many central parts have fallen into place. And the team is looking forward to welcome the many participants to Copenhagen in two years from now.

In January they were two. In March five. And now they are seven. The team behind WorldOutgames consists of few. And they have a major task ahead of them - namely to arrange one of the greatest sports and culture events on Danish ground ever for more than 8,000 participants. But in spite of the massive challenge, the team has already come far and WorldOutgames is starting to take shape.

- I am really excited about being able to welcome people to WorldOutgames in 2009. We are working hard to create an exceptionally interesting and innovative programme. We want to apply a particular Copenhagen twist to WorldOutgames. Expect the unexpected, says director Uffe Elbæk.

Mark your calendar
One of the very central things that have fallen into place is the dates for the various events. WorldOutgames will take place from 25 July to 2 August 2009. The event will start with an innovative and spectacular opening ceremony and will end with a nice party. The days in between will offer the opportunity to participate in about 30 branches of sports at the city's various sizeable sports centres. The human rights conference will take place from 27 to 29 July, which will, among others, focus on LGBT-people in relation to families, culture and media and education. Asides from this, Copenhagen will offer numerous cultural activities around in the streets and in the cultural institutions of the city. So there will be plenty to see.

More than just culture and sports
The team behind Outgames has spent a lot of time to discuss and establish the values and purposes of the project. Outgames is more than just sports and culture; it is also a desire to leave a trace in both Copenhagen as well as in the world. The slogan behind Outgames is "Love of freedom. Freedom to love". And this states very well what it is all about; namely love for the freedom that allows us the love life of our choice. Outgames wants to stress both the importance of a manifold and tolerant world and that Copenhagen should make its mark and develop into a progressive metropolis, which is characterized by precisely tolerance and diversity. Everyone will benefit from this - not just the LGBTs in the city. Outgames' methods are influenced by five values - namely: transparency, generosity, social innovation, cultural diversity and sustainability.

There will be a completely new website this summer. You will moreover be able to encounter Outgames at significant sports and gay events around the world, e.g. Eurogames in Antwerp.

For further information
WorldOutgames 2009
Director Uffe Elbæk, tel.: +45 3355 7492, email: uel@woco.dk
Or visit: www.copenhagen2009.org