Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg is backing a bid to host the 2018 Gay Games in London.

Founded in 1982, the Gay Games bring around 10,000 athletes, artists and activists from around the world to participate in more than 30 sport and culture events.

"We've shown what we can do with the Olympics in 2012, but it's through events such as the Gay Games that the legacy of the Olympics will live on for London," said the deputy prime minister, while meeting with Federation of Gay Games (FGG) delegates. "It is unacceptable for any athlete to be intimidated or discriminated because of their sexuality. If you're an athlete you're an athlete regardless of your sexuality."

Other high profile bid backers include Hugh Robertson, sports minister, London mayor Boris Johnson and John Bercow, speaker of the House of Commons, who have all issued statements in support of the bid, highlighting London's worldwide reputation for tolerance and diversity.

London is one of three possible locations for the games, with Limerick, Ireland and Paris, France also in contention.

The host city for the 2018 Gay Games will be announced on 7 October 2013.