“We cannot have quarantine rules in place for our events. We cannot be in a bubble,” Philipse said.

“We don’t want to have people excluded because they are not vaccinated or don’t have enough time to prepare. [So] we’re moving this one year out, and we really believe that this is an opportunity for everybody to get back to life, hopefully get vaccinated, and get back to the match, back to the pool.”

The group issued a formal notice of the postponement to the government on Thursday afternoon, with the approval from the Federation of Gay Games. The new dates would be announced shortly after consulting the federation, they said.

Less than three months ago, the Post reported organisers were having difficulty booking public venues, with existing rules requiring that such procedures be handled through national sports associations.

And because the Games are classified as a charitable organisation, bookings can only be made three to six months in advance.

The event was attacked by certain lawmakers in the Legislative Council. Junius Ho Kwan-yiu labelled it “disgraceful” during a session in June, leading Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to publicly condemn “unnecessarily divisive” comments.

Other legislators expressed concern the Games would encourage same-sex marriage in Hong Kong, which remains a controversial topic.

But Philipse described the organisers as committed.

“Anti-inclusion objections from this small but vocal minority … have galvanised the resolve of our 300 volunteers and brought out overwhelming support,” he said.

Some establishment lawmakers had told the group the economic benefits were clear to the government and the Games were condoned by Beijing as a non-political event, he added.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says city will support Gay Games

According to Philipse, the group has received a surge in inquiries from potential corporate sponsors and private venue partners since June.

“The Gay Games is not an activist event,” he said. “There will be arts and culture events, but there will be no pride parade, and it is not a platform to advocate for any particular legislation.

Pro-establishment lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee conveyed her support for the decision to postpone, stating in remarks published by the organisers that the Games would generate close to HK$1 billion for the local economy.

“The importance of the Games to Hong Kong’s global image as a forward-looking, cosmopolitan city should not be underestimated,” said Ip, who previously encouraged other lawmakers to support the event. “Postponing the Games to 2023 … will give the organisers more time and resources to focus on hosting a successful event.”

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Allan Zeman, chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group that serves as a corporate sponsor, expressed confidence the delay would not diminish interest in the event.

Some participants were taken aback by the news and shared their dismay on social media.

Cynthia Cheung, spokeswoman of the Hong Kong Pride Parade, intended to take part and although initially surprised at the news, she expressed hope the rescheduled event could go forward without further difficulties.

“We are planning to join and support the games … of course it’s a little unfortunate that the event has to [be] postponed, but we understand the concern,” she said.