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The international ruling body of the 2002 Gay Games, the
biggest event to be staged in Sydney between the Olympics and the rugby World
Cup, has raised the embarrassing spectre of transferring the event to another
city. With echoes of Athens' 2004 Olympic Games preparations, a leaked memo from the San Francisco-based Federation of Gay Games two weeks ago claims it was possible there would be a "total forfeiture" by Sydney, or it may move the event, which will attract more participants than the Olympics. The memo said: "The serious nature of the present circumstances, with regard to Sydney 2002 Ltd and the Gay Games, cannot be overestimated." The Gay Games, which has been forecast to draw more visitors to Sydney and Australia than the recent British and Irish Lions tour, has struggled to attract sponsorship. The State Government has refused to provide financial support for the event, despite its potential to generate millions of dollars for NSW and Australia. Because of the scope of the Gay Games, a failed organisational effort threatens to tarnish not only Sydney's gay and lesbian community's hard-won reputation but also Sydney's ability, fostered by the successful Olympic Games, to stage major events. Sydney also faces the threat of losing the 2003 World Cup rugby final, and other big events, to rival Australian capitals because of the NSW Government's policy of not underwriting big events. The emailed memo, leaked to a prominent Los Angeles-based gay and lesbian Web site, Outsports.com, has been condemned by the federation's co-president, Mr Bill Wassmer. He said it was outdated, even though it was distributed only two weeks ago, and before a federation delegation visit to Sydney to conduct a status report on the city's progress. Mr Wassmer, in a repudiation of his organisation's internal discussions, told Outsports.com that since the memo was sent he had spoken to the Sydney organisers and was confident that "things had changed". But Sydney 2002 is still unable to announce a principal sponsor. Mr Geoffrey Williams, who has been chief executive of Sydney 2002 since June 1, said yesterday the "inaccurate" memo should not have been sent. It did not reflect the improved prospects for Sydney 2002 in terms of sponsorship and fund-raising. He admitted the memo had the potential to damage perceptions of the event. "It's fair to say we're pretty unhappy with [the memo]. But it was more a feeling by [the federation] about the past situation," he said. "We're very confident that when they see our budget and preparations they will be very happy. We have no doubt we can deliver games that will exceed the expectations of the FGG." It is known that relations between Sydney 2002 and the federation have been poor, with one source saying the ruling body had felt "let down" by Sydney's failure to deliver on promises made during the bidding process. Sydney 2002's cash flow problems have been so acute it has been paying a six-figure fee to the federation, negotiated as part of Sydney winning the event, in instalments. |