Live from Cologne report from Sonya Lewis, Team Colorado
Waking up to the first full day in the “Old World” is both exhilarating but overwhelming. Allison and I have been looking forward to exploring Berlin for a long time and especially with our dear friends, Nana and Susanne., who live here. Imagine trying to show someone Denver and Boulder in one day? Do you do mountain or city, your typical life with family and friends, or as athletes..your sport and teammates?.Well..we were treated to all of the above.
We took in the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods of Berlin. Saw the famous Reichstag (Congress and former head of the Third Reich) and strolled the grounds of the Arts Complex (see video). And Berlin is having their own Biennial of the Americas…(like Denver)..they featured artists who are displaying art and concepts about reclaiming our natural resources and using materials that would be shoved off to the Landfill.. very green and thought provocating.
We played tennis at the Tennis club and met some of the team and friends. Ah..the Red Clay…So..we did NOT see anything about the Gay Games while in Berlin..not a total surprise because we did not make it to any of the Gay Villages but when the subject of Why Cologne? came up. I was indeed surprised. Now..remember I am relatively new to the world of FGG decisions so I am playing catch up if you will….Apparently, Berlin had indeed bid and maybe won the Games..again..translation issues could be at play here..but There are 2 large LGBT Sports organizations in Berlin and they.. surprise surprise… fight about FGG or GLISA. And when these past battles reared their ugly heads over the 2010 Games..the Gay Mayor of Berlin stepped in and said..if you can not get along..then Berlin will not support the Games…thus Cologne.
So..let me know..what you have heard?..and that brings up the Cleveland 2014 discussion..but for another day..
Love All
We'll talk more about this later, but I did want to indicate that there is no connection between any bids planned by anyone in Berlin, and the decision by SC Janus, a long-time member of the FGG, to launch a bid for Gay Games VIII. That choice had nothing to do with Berlin, but rather came down to a choice between Paris, Johannesburg, and Cologne, with a clear choice for Cologne.
ReplyDelete