EuroGames: Europe's largest LGBTQ+ multi-sport competition kicks off

The EuroGames will host 4,000 athletes from 50 countries across a wide variety of sporting disciplines.

Transcript

00:00Europe's biggest LGBTQ sporting event has kicked off with an opening ceremony in Vienna's Karlsplatz Square.

00:07The Eurogames will see 4,000 athletes from 50 nations compete in 31 different sports,

00:12ranging from tennis and badminton to football and roller derby.

00:15This year is the first time Austria have hosted the games.

00:18Thomas Nobis, who is organizing the tennis tournament, praised the event for its inclusivity.

00:23It is important for the community that we meet in a safe space.

00:26We feel comfortable, we feel safe.

00:29But we are still open to all the people who play here, who watch, who support us

00:35and maybe haven't met the whole community yet.

00:39G.I. Conconchita Wurst of Eurovision fame headlined the event, welcoming the participants to Vienna.

00:45The Eurogames were first held in 1992 in The Hague.

00:48Different cities have hosted the event since then.

00:50Vienna has donated €150,000 to the cause as well as providing free access to many sporting venues.