Civic Reception at Rotterdam City Hall

The Honorable Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam, welcomed delegates from member clubs of the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation as well at guests including Federation of Gay Games copresident Emy Ritt, to the city of Rotterdam for the Eurogames.

Mayor Aboutaleb spoke eloquently about the contributions of diversity to social progress and economic development, about the ability of events such as the Eurogames to bring change to the host city, as well as for the communities participants will return to, with particular consideration for the situation in central and eastern Europe, and in particular in Hungary, the host country for the 2012 Eurogames.

Also speaking at the reception were EGLSF copresidents Louise Englefield and Lou Manders, and Eurogames 2011 copresident Hans van Dop.

As a special surprise, during the reception at the Stadhuis, a plane towing a banner welcoming participants to Eurogames 2011 flew over the city center.