Voting members of the Federation selected Montreal after hearing presentations from four bidding cities. Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles also made bids to host the 2006 Games at the Federation's annual meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

"Montreal's team demonstrated an overall knowledge and keen understanding of what it takes to make the Gay Games a successful event and we look forward to our partnership in the years to come."

Cities vie for the opportunity to host the Gay Games not only for the infusion of millions of dollars from thousands of participants and observers into their local economies, but also as a statement of civic pride, diversity and inclusiveness. As the benefits of hosting a Gay Games have become more widely known, the bidding process has become highly competitive.

"We are delighted and honored to be chosen by the Federation of Gay Games as host city of Gay Games VII," said Mark Tewksbury, 100 meter gold medallist at the 1992 Olympics and honorary co-president of Montreal 2006.

About The Federation of Gay Games

The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of inclusion, participation and personal best.

The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,000 participants), New York (1994; 11,000 participants), and Amsterdam (1998; 14,000 participants).

About 14,000 participants are expected to travel to Sydney in 2002 for Gay Games VI.