DC delegation heads to Paris in bid to host 2022 Gay Games

WASHINGTON - Mayor Muriel Bowser will fly to Paris on Thursday to make a bid to host the Gay Games in 2022.

She will be joined by D.C. Councilmembers Jack Evans, Brandon Todd, Olympian Briana Scurry, and members of the Washington, DC Gay Games Bid Committee.

D.C. has been named one of three finalists to host the games. Hong Kong and Guadalajara are also in the running.

The District hopes to attract 15,000 athletes, and 100,000 spectators from around the world.

The mayor's office points to a large LGBTQ community, millennial population, and its internationally diverse communities as a few of the reasons why DC should be chosen to host the games.

A spokesperson for the mayor said the games could potentially generate $100 million in local spending. Bowser and the delegation will pledge up to $2 million to bring the games to DC.

The mayor is expected to return to D.C. on Tuesday.