CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's official! After beating out cities like Boston and Washington D.C., Cleveland has been chosen as the official host of the 2014 Gay Games.

Sunday night, supporters gathered at Bounce Nightclub on the city's west side to celebrate the recent announcement. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and City Councilman Joe Cimperman were among several politicians in the crowd.

"We only have 251 weeks to go, so we have a lot of preparation to do and it starts right now," said Cimperman.

City of Cleveland Chief of Government Affairs Valarie McCall said, "All the hotels will be full. Over 15,000 to 20,000 athletes from all over the world will be here in Cleveland plus 100,000 spectators."

The Gay Games are expected to bring in more than $60 million to the region. Organizers say some of the sporting events such as the rodeo, marathon and softball games will take place in Akron.

The Gay Games first kicked off in San Francisco in 1982. Over the past two decades it's been held in cities such as Sydney, Vancouver, Amsterdam and Chicago. Now it's Cleveland's turn to take the international spotlight! "Cleveland and Akron rock! We know that. Now we're going to show the world that they rock so we're just estactic!"