Limerick is in the running to host the 2018 Gay Games.

Limerick is up against six cities - Paris, London, Amsterdam, Orlando, Rio de Janerio and Sao Paulo – to be granted the opportunity to host the event.

Spokesperson for Limerick Pride Cillian Flynn said that his organisation is enthusiastically backing the bid to host the games.

According to The Sun he said: "We have sporting facilities in Limerick that are world class.”

“When you look at the list they say we don’t have a chance but when you look at our facilities and what we have on offer... Yes we can do it.

“We have two members of our bid committee in Bulgaria at the Federation and Gay Games Conference where they are officially unveiling what’s happening for the bid process,” he said.

Limerick Pride has been inspired by American Gold Medalist Medah Rapinoe

The organisation has been inspired by American ladies soccer player Megan Rapinoe, who came out before winning an Olympic gold medal earlier this summer.

Limerick’s local authorities are supporting the bid which has the potential to generate millions for Limerick City.

Karen Brosnahan, the business manager with the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau said: “Nationally we have been trying to lobby to get some funding through Failte Ireland to support the bid process to allow Limerick put its best foot forward and hopefully be one of three short-listed cities that would get a site visit and hopefully be the overall winner.

“The outcome being that Limerick in 2018 would actually get to host the tenth world Gay Games which would be phenomenal for Limerick,” she said.

The next Gay Games will take place in Cleveland, USA in 2014.