World OutGames Cancels 10-Day Miami Event Amidst Fraud Allegations

At the 11th hour organizers of the World OutGames canceled the 10-day athletic event amidst allegations of impropriety on Friday, leaving LGBT athletes who'd traveled to Miami for the occasion hanging. OutGames organizers informed participants of the cancellation via email, according to the Miami Herald.

"It is with deep regret that due to financial burdens, World OutGames must cancel its sports programming and Opening and Closing Ceremony with the exception of soccer, aquatics and country western dance. The Human Rights Conference and cultural programs will continue as planned. We thank everyone who has supported the effort and apologize to those who will be impacted by this difficult decision."

While organizers waited until the last possible moment to cancel events, officials at Miami's city hall suspected for months that the organization was in trouble and questioned OutGames' financial health based on slower than usual fundraising, but organizers claimed they were on track to get the games off of the ground.

"We're very disappointed and very frustrated because we saw it coming," Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales said. "We talked to them about it and they refused to sort of moderate their expectations. The frustrating thing is, if they canceled three or four months ago it would have been bad, but nobody would have gone out of their way to be here already."

Within just a few hours of the cancellation, Miami Beach Police and the State Attorney's Office hailed "misappropriation of funds" by OutGame organizers as cause to open a fraud investigation.

While OutGames organizers declined to comment on the cancellation beyond the email that was initially sent, those involved with the city of Miami tourism have gone all out in an attempt to accommodate disgruntled participants over the cancellation and handling of the OutGames.

"We feel terrible that this is happening. But rest assured that community leaders are trying to do everything we can to create activities and entertainment options for all the wonderful visitors who have come to Miami and Miami Beach," Steve Adkins, president and CEO of Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and past board member of the OutGames, told the Miami Herald.

All registered participants of the games received free admission to a concert of the Miami Gay Men's Chorus, and within hours of the cancellation the Facebook group Miami World OutGames Alternative popped up to offer options for participants while in the city.