Live from Cologne: Vive la France

As FGG sports officer, I've been hearing so many good things about Gay Games VIII from a wide range of sports people, which makes me very happy. There are many minor problems, but they seem to be resolved fairly well fairly quickly. One of the nice things I've been hearing is about my own team, Equipe France 2010. The more than 500 members of the team wear their official uniforms provided by the French Ministry of Sport with pride, giving them great visibility. More important, they are present en masse in a great number of sports, where, I am told, they provide a great atmosphere, enthusiasm, and encouragement for all.

I'm quite willing to believe this is true, from what I've seen, and from what I know about Equipe France. The 500 men and women from Paris and all over France, in particular from new groups in Lille, Strasbourg and other regional capitals, are led by a dynamic team that have made the preparation for Gay Games VIII an exciting challenge, a rewarding project, and a fabulous aventure humaine.

Thanks in particular to Bruno Aussenac and Christelle Foucault, to Jean Pierre Grasland and to Thierry Wurtz, and thanks to the athletes and artists of Equipe France who are helping make Gay Games VIII such a great experience for us all!