Games Cologne team invited to Berlin by German MP

We had the pleasure of meeting Volker Beck, a Green party MP who has lead the fight for LGBT rights in the German Bundestag, during Gay Games VIII, where he spoke at the opening of the exhibition at the German Olympic and Sports Museum.

He has not forgotten Gay Games VIII, and on the first anniversary of the 2010 Games, invited 50 volunteers from Cologne to visit Berlin from 2-5 August, to show his respect and gratitude for their efforts in organizing Gay Games VIII.

Shorty after the closing ceremony last summer, Volker Beck thanked the officials and volunteers of Games Cologne for their tremendous work, and promised to repeat his expression of thanks in the political heart of Germany, in Berlin.

He has now followed through on his promise. In addition to a private meeting with Mr. Beck, the Games Cologne team visited the Ministry of the Interior, the government department in charge of the advancement in sport. They also paid a visit to the Reichstag during a session of the federal legislature.

Above this, volunteers and officials had a great time in Berlin, shared laughter and memories, some sweet, some not so sweet, all washed down with more than a few Koelsch (editor's note: Koelsch!).