US Consulate in Duesseldorf reports on visit of Ambassador Murphy to Gay Games

Ambassador Philip Murphy, FGG co-presidents Emy Ritt (Paris) and Kurt Dahl (Chicago), and Deputy Mayor Angela Spizig

From the website of the US Consulate in Duesseldorf:

On August 2 Ambassador Philip Murphy visited the Gay Games in Cologne, one of the biggest sports and cultural festivals in the world. An estimated 10,000 participants from over 70 countries are participating responding to festival’s motto “Be part of it!” Hosted by Cologne Mayor Angela Spizig and the Co-Presidents of the Federation of Gay Games, Emy Ritt and Kurt Dahl, the Ambassador attended several sports events (soccer, swimming, diving, water polo and volleyball) engaging the participants as well as officials from the U.S. and Germany on the tradition of the Gay Games and sports in general. At the swimming and diving contests the Ambassador also presented medals to the winners. The visit in Cologne included a tour of the city’s renowned Sports University where the Ambassador was briefed on the role of Institute of Biochemistry in anti-doping testing and preventive measures. Officials from the Federation of Gay Games and the active participants appreciated the visit of the Ambassador and his support for the Gay Games as a great festival promoting diversity and tolerance.