EVENT DATE:
26th July – 5th August 2006

BROADCAST DATES
26th July – 5th August

26th –29th July: Previews of event, entertainment opening ceremony
30th July – 5th August: Highlights of Games and the closing ceremony

Sport has the power to transcend culture, nationality, religion – in essence, “difference”. It levels the playing field; not just in sport, in life. It brings people together in a way unlike any other activity, breaking down barriers and building bridges.

From 26 July to 5 August 2006, the 1st World Outgames will do just that, bringing together lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) athletes from around the world in unprecedented numbers for a celebration of sport, culture and human rights. In the spirit of true inclusiveness, the Outgames are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation; all are welcome to participate.

It all begins with the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, which will be held from 26 to 29 July 2006, where 2,000 delegates from every continent will come together for workshops and discussions led by internationally respected leaders in human rights, researchers, legal scholars and trade organizations. The Conference will close with the adoption of the Declaration of Montréal, which will be presented by international tennis champion Martina Navratilova and Canadian Olympic champion Mark Tewksbury during the Opening Ceremony of the Outgames at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, 29 July 2006.

Then, from 30 July to 5 August, the Outgames sport programme will offer competitions in 35 disciplines, with events for everyone from seasoned athletes to recreational players. The culture programme will bring participants together for 6 distinct musical, dance and social activities. Expertly organized events in world-class venues – get ready to shine!

All of this in Montréal, North America's "city of festivals" and world-renowned gay-friendly destination par excellence!

The 1st World Outgames Montréal 2006:
Social change through sport.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 1st Outgames Montréal 2006 will be held at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, 29 July and Saturday, 5 August 2006, respectively, before an audience of 45,000 spectators, and broadcast by Radio-Canada,

Canada's national public broadcaster, Radio-Canada will also provide hour-long daily coverage during the Outgames.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 1st World Outgames will offer two incredible shows, featuring the likes of Liza Minnelli, K D Lang, Cirque Du Soliel, Martha Walsh Jonas and many more. The shows are to be produced by well-known Québec producers Jean Rémillard and Daniel Cormier and managing producer Alain Dupont of Télé-Vision, bringing together a solid and creative team

Montréal 2006, in partnership with the local and global gay and lesbian community, is dedicated to creating an outstanding international sports and cultural experience for the Outgames.

The 1st  World Outgames Montréal 2006 will provide the opportunity for all participants to achieve their personal best. The community as a whole will be enriched in terms of athletics and culture, while reaping financial benefits as well.

Montréal 2006's vision is to orchestrate the largest and most magnificent gathering of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transvestites, transsexuals and heterosexuals coming together in a festive spirit of celebration in North America's City of Festivals. Montrealers of all persuasions, gay and non-gay, are dedicated to making this event a resounding success, thereby bearing out Montréal's reputation as a City of Games.