The final statistics are out from the 2009 World Outgames: There were 5,518 participants from 92 countries in the second-ever sports and cultural festival, held July 25-Aug. 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Denmark had the most participants ( 959 ) , followed by Germany ( 632 ) . The United States was third in participation ( 631 competitors ) .
Canada was fourth ( 499 ) , though our neighbors to the north seemed to have the loudest and what appeared to be the second-largest amount of participants in the opening ceremony July 25.
Rounding out the top 10: Netherlands ( 495 ) , the United Kingdom ( 413 ) , Norway ( 213 ) , Australia ( 212 ) , France ( 180 ) and Switzerland ( 171 ) .
There were 22 countries with one representative each, including Algeria, Botswana, Costa Rica, Mongolia, Oman, Qatar and Venezuela, among others.
Outgames organizers estimated that 7,500 additional LGBT tourists were in Copenhagen during the event.
"We, for sure, had hoped to reach the 8,000 [ participation total ] expected back in January 2007, but the global financial crisis impacted [ the event ] . That said, I'm still very proud and very happy with the total number who showed up," said Uffe Elbaek of Copenhagen, the Outgames' CEO. "With participation and the spectators, they really helped the local economy.
"The city was so happy with the event."
Added Julia Applegate, co-president of the Gay & Lesbian Sport Association ( GLISA ) International, who oversees the World Outgames: "GLISA International is pleased with the number of participants who took part in the second World Outgames in Copenhagen. The participation level is lower than initially hoped for, but given the global economic crisis, we are happy that nearly 6,000 participants from around the world came to Copenhagen for [ eight ] days of sport, culture and human rights."
The U.S. was the runaway winner in the medal tally, claiming 513 medals. Germany was second in medals won ( 301 ) , followed by the Netherlands ( 245 ) , Denmark ( 208 ) and Canada ( 151 ) .
The U.S. won 243 gold medals, the most of any country. Germany was second with 130, followed by the Netherlands ( 110 ) , Denmark ( 89 ) and the U.K. ( 70 ) .
There were five countries with one medal winner, such as Latvia ( gold ) and Brazil ( bronze ) .
The U.S. won its most medals in swimming ( 210 ) , followed by track and field ( 143 ) and rowing ( 25 ) .
"We salute the U.S.," Elbaek said. "I'm happy that [ Americans ] came, took part and even happier that they took the medals back home."
Added Applegate: "Participation from the United States and Canada was strong, and reflects both the success of the Copenhagen organizing committee and support of the GLISA model in North America."
In a survey conducted by Capacent Research for Wonderful Copenhagen and VisitDenmark, independent of the Outgames, it reported that 90 percent of Copenhageners knew about the Outgames. The survey also stated:
58 percent had a positive attitude toward the Outgames; 31 percent had a neutral attitude; and 9 percent were negative or very negative about the event.
90 percent agree/totally agree, "That it is important for Copenhagen to profile itself internationally by attracting and holding large cultural events."
"The Outgames really became a national event, not just a city event," Elbaek said.
More Outgames numbers:
There were 327 accredited journalists, representing 24 countries.
Participants and specific tourists at World Outgames are estimated to have spent up to 60 million kroner ( $11.5 million ) on accommodations, transportation and general consumption, according to Wonderful Copenhagen estimates.
There were 1,800 volunteers.
World Outgames did not exceed the budget and is expected to end with either a neutral result or a small surplus. The final report is expected to be published at the end of November, organizers said.