THE 2008 EUROPEAN GAY GAMES OPEN IN BARCELONA!MUCH MORE THAN SPORT

More than 5,000 athletes, gay and straight, from across Europe are converging on Barcelona for the Eurogames. More than 30,000 tourists are expected to attend the Olympics-style games which could pump 30 million euros (47.6 million US dollars) into the local economy, according to Barcelona gay sports group Panteras Grogues (Yellow Panthers) which is organising the event.



The four-day event kicked off with a colourful opening ceremony last night at the Palau Sant Jordi indoor sporting arena, one of the main venues of the 1992 Summer Olympics which has a seating capacity for 17,000 people.



The athletes will compete in 28 different sports including tennis, swimming, track and field, basketball but also same-sex versions of ballroom dancing in venues across Barcelona. The Eurogames are open to everyone, irrespective of sex, age, sexual identity or physical abilities. OhLaLa will keep you updated on the event!