Year after year: the XMAS Tournament in Frankfurt
1100 athletes form 25 different countries – Even at the 23rd issue of the XMAS Tournament, organized by FVV and Artemis, the interest was unbeaten. It is and stays one of the most important gay sports events of the year. Apart from the German guests most of the foreign athletes came from Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, and Poland. Volleyball, swimming and badminton were the most popular sports. But Tennis, for the first time offered at the tournament, had a great competition, too. Eleven sport events had been organized with great efforts, team spirit and a lot of fun as well. Everybody celebrated the evening at the Jingle Bells party in the Union Halle and the next morning people had fun at the brunch at Depot. Our sponsorship project Outreach Eastern Europe, that supports athletes form east european countries, brought new friends from Russia, Macedonia and Serbia to our tournament.
Numerous guests of honor, numerous expressions of thanks
Almost 500 tournament participants and friends of gay and lesbian sports let the XMAS weekend come to an end at the traditional brunch. Among them, the guests of honor, city councillor Christian Setzepfandt, who conveyed the greetings of our lord mayor, the co-president of the EGLSF, Louise Englefield, Klaus-Peter Sprung form ibis Hotel Frankfurt City Messe, Roland Frischkorn from Sportkreis Frankfurt e.V. and Imke Duplitzer, olympic épée fencer and ambassador of Outreach Eastern Europe.
Imke Duplitzer acknowledged this year's outreach project, that supported more than 90 athletes from seven countries. Without sponsors this would not have been possible. Many thanks to all tournament participants, who donated at registration. Our gratitude to some private sponsors, who want to be unnamed. Many thanks to Hans Petersen from Petersen Gutes Essen for the great Outreach-Lunch. We are much obliged to Klaus-Peter Sprungk, General Manager of ibis Hotel Frankfurt City Messe. On the one hand he offered our athletes a room rate that even a youth hostel could not compete with. On the other hand he sponsored the accommodation for our outreach guests.
The best way to support Eastern Europe for the upcoming year, is to participate in the EuroGames Budapest 2012. Early registration is appreciated, as money is needed right now for organizing the games.
Last but not least, we would like to thank all volunteers and hosts, without whom it would not have been possible to accomplish this XMAS tournament.
We hope all participants enjoyed it and will be part of the tournament next year, when we say again: "All we want for XMAS is you!"
Find all results and photos HERE.
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