As the opening ceremony for the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany, on July 31, rapidly approaches, there's a shocking firestorm surrounding the 2014 Games in Cleveland.
Will the 2014 Games still be held in Cleveland? And who is/will be the organizing committee?
Lots of questions are coming from Cleveland and elsewhere, but there are few concrete answers, so far.
One thing for certain is, though: The City of Cleveland sent a letter to the Cleveland Synergy Foundation July 7 stating that the Federation of Gay Games ( FGG ) is terminating Synergy's license agreement for Gay Games 2014 and that the city is halting all payments to Synergy.
The letter was sent from Tracey A. Nichols, director of the Department of Economic Development for the City of Cleveland. The letter was sent to the three leading officials with the Cleveland Synergy Foundation: Doug Anderson, Jeff Axberg and Brian Tarolier.
A copy of the letter also was sent to multiple people within the City of Cleveland, including Ken Silliman ( chief of staff ) .
On July 6, the FGG notified Synergy that the federation was exercising its right to terminate the license agreement with Synergy for the 2014 Games.
Kelly Stevens, the FGG's officer of communications, said July 19 by phone that the FGG "is looking forward to going to Cleveland for Gay Games IX in 2014." But anything beyond that, including, who will be running the Cleveland organizing committee, received a "no comment."
Stevens confirmed that he has heard all of the rumors floating around regarding the 2014 Games and its organizing committee, but also had no comment.
Multiple sources have said that a major announcement is expected this week regarding the 2014 Cleveland organizing committee.
Axberg, founder of the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, issued a statement July 19.
"As the organization licensed to produce the 2014 Gay Games, the Cleveland Synergy Foundation remains committed to bringing this important, civic, cultural, and economic event to the Cleveland [ and ] Akron region," he wrote. "The Cleveland Synergy Foundation has met all of its commitments to the Federation of Gay Games. We look forward to quickly resolving any questions the Federation may have, and moving forward in the same spirit of teamwork and collaboration that won the Games for Cleveland [ and ] Akron.
"The licensing agreement between Synergy and the Federation of Gay Games clearly articulates a process to resolve any questions or conflicts. As outlined in the mutually endorsed agreement, this process should begin with a meeting of the two groups' steering committees. If that meeting leaves questions unanswered, the groups' boards of directors are then required to meet. Only if those first two meetings result in an impasse would mediation be an appropriate third step, according to the agreement. We have requested that the Federation join us in following this process of resolution in order to maintain the integrity of our organization, the FGG, and the future of the Gay Games movement.
"It is imperative that Gay Games remain an event created by the LGBT community, for the LGBT community, with the partnership and support of the host city. We are confident that once our steering committees and boards of directors meet, it will be clear to all involved that Synergy remains on schedule to deliver the world-class event the community envisioned and the Federation endorsed."
Anderson, Synergy's founder, was profiled in Windy City Times last Decemberabout two months after Cleveland had been awarded the 2014 Games. Boston and Washington, D.C., also were bidding to host the 2014 Games.
Anderson, 54, had no comment about the recent developments. "When we have all the facts, we will make a statement," he said.
The Gay People's Chronicle of Ohio asked Anderson if Cleveland was in any danger of losing the Games, to which he replied, "No comment."
Earlier this month, Boston's Spirit magazine published an article alleging foul play with the selection of Cleveland and Akron last year.
"We tried our best to follow all of the rules and regulations, but there was some conflicting information from the Federation," Axberg told Spirit. "On a personal level, I would love for a city in North America like Boston to host the Gay Games in 2018."
Anderson and Axberg told Spirit they were confused about the rules for the proposal. The magazine reported that the rules limit the number of sports to 28. Cleveland proposed 40, including golf, which is to be held at Akron's Firestone Country Club, 45 miles south of Cleveland.