Uffe Elbaek

The board of directors of GLISA (Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association) has announced that the Copenhagen 2009 Outgames has declared a profit of Danish Krone 1.2 Million (164,000 Euro, $234,000). This contrasts to the first World Outgames in Canada which lost 5.3m dollars.

Per Hermansen, Copenhagen 2009 Outgames' Finance Director, said:
“The profits from the Copenhagen Outgames will be allocated to charitable LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) sports, cultural, and human rights related purposes in accordance with the articles of the association."

Uffe Elbaek, CEO of the Games, said:
“What I personally liked about the Outgames-event in Copenhagen was, that we were able to create a high-class quality sports, culture and human right event of solid value for both the city, the LGBT community - local as well internationally - and for all the participants and guests. And I think, that the main reason for this success was, that all the people involved - from the City hall to the grass roots - kept their heads calm and their hearts open all the way through."

While the profits from the Copenhagen Outgames will benefit the local LGBT organizations, the city of Copenhagen will benefit from the OutGames for years to come. A recent survey conducted by Wonderful Copenhagen states:
“The analysis show that the over 5500 participants and 5000 spectators at the World Outgames 2009 have given Copenhagen additional income in excess of 78 million Krone(10 Million Euro, $15 Million).”

The next Continental Outgames will be held in 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand and Vancouver, Canada.

For more information view:
www.copenhagen2009.org.

For more information about GLISA view:
www.glisa.org