Australian Ambassador at Gay Games VIII

Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 welcomed several world leaders and official governement ambassadors. One important visitor was the Australian Ambassador to Germany. Read this story from the Sydney Star Observer.

On August 1, one day after the Opening Ceremony of Gay Games VIII Cologne, some 300 Australian athletes and their partners and friends mingled at the Australian Welcome Reception, held in the event venue (and former city monastery) Wolkenburg. The event, which was jointly being co-hosted by the Australian Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Mr Peter Tesch and Team Sydney on behalf of all Australian city teams, showed impressively the biggest Australian contingent at International Games outside of Australia ever, reporting with 363 athletes and cultural participants an increase of 34% more compared to last Gay Games in Chicago 2006.

Peter Tesch, who stayed in Cologne for another day to visit some of the sports venues and follow his contingent in action, wished the Australian participants during his speech all his best for their competitions and underlined the importance of the Gay Games to break down on stereotypes and address missing GLBT rights throughout the globe.

Whether it was his official support or the intense upfront training of his Australian athletes, the Australian team managed to bring home 90 gold, 92 silver and 53 bronze medals in total as access baggage.

Photo courtesy: http://www.starobserver.com.au/

Look back at... Closing Ceremony

Closing Ceremony of Gay Games VIII took place at Tanzbrunnen in the Rheinpark on the right bank of the Rhine. First to enter was the delegation representing the FGG, bearing flags with the logos of each edition of Gay Games through Cologne and beyond to Cleveland-Akron.

After another spectacular show by gold-medal winning Cheer San Francisco, ceremonial aspects included speeches by Deputy Mayor Elfi Scho-Antwerpes and FGG and Games Cologne Co-Presidents, the arrival of the Gay Games VIII torch, carried by sports director Dagmar Ziege, an award for the Gay Games VIII outstanding volunteer, and above all, the transfer of the Gay Games flag from host Games Cologne to the FGG and then to our host for 2014 in Cleveland-Akron.

The evening continued with a festival feel, with plenty of food and drink, great live music, and much socializing.

Closing municipal reception for Gay Games VIII

Deputy Mayor Spizig

Before the Closing Ceremony at Tanzbrunnen, during which deputy mayor Elfi Scho-Antwerpes represented the City of Cologne, her colleague Angela Spizig, who was present at any number of events during the week, hosted a municipal reception at the historic Hansasaal of Cologne City Hall to mark the end of Gay Games VIII. Here is a report on that event (via Google Translation):

Deputy Mayor Angela Spizig welcomed those present on behalf of Mayor Juergen Roters and drew a first summary of the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne. Spizig was very pleased with the peaceful and friendly atmosphere of the Gay Games, which has been present in all areas in the life of the city. She cited the overwhelmingly positive reactions from the participants and the Cologne population.

Stevens, Spizig, Lohaus

Along with with Kelly Stevens, Officer for Communication of the Federation of Gay Games, the parent organization of the Gay Games, she thanked the media for the widespread coverage of the positive spirit of the Gay Games.

Michael Lohaus, co-president of Games Cologne, the organizing committee for Gay Games VIII, also thanked the city of Cologne for the extension of opening hours of various facilities.

Lohaus also stressed the importance of the Gay Games for participants, in particular for those from countries where homosexuality is illegal. 

Emy Ritt's medal

Finally, Kelly Stevens presented Mayor Spizig with the personal participation medal of the Co-President of the FGG, Emy Ritt, in recognition of the great efforts of Ms. Spizig for the Gay Games.

Italian Vice Consul supports “her” soccer teams

The Italian soccer teams “Kingkickers Italy” and “Godado Mediolanum” had a very special fan at the soccer tournament at the Gay Games Cologne:

Anna Bertoglio,the Italian Vice Consul for Cologne, visited “her” teams at the fields at Sportpark Muengersdorf to wish them good luck. Klaus Heusslein, president of the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association honored her with a Gay Games VIII participation medal before she kicked off the match between Florida Storm and Kingkickers.

For other examples of diplomatic support of Gay Games VIII and Gay Games participants, see this post.

Look back at... North Rhine Westphalia reception

Prof. Klaus Schaefer, Michael Lohaus, and Juergen Roters

The "12th Man" lounge at RheinEnergie Stadium was the scene of a reception by the Land Nordrhein Westfalen in honor of the opening of Gay Games VIII. Speakers included Pr. Klaus Schaefer, North Rhine-Westphalia Secretary of the Ministry for Family, Children, Youth, Culture and Sport; Mayor of Cologne Juergen Roters; and GC Co-President Michael Lohaus.

International Olympic Committee sends wishes for success for Gay Games VIII

Between slow mail delivery and the rush to prepare for Gay Games VIII, we've only just seen this letter sent by Christophe Dubi, Sports Director for the International Olympic Committee, in which he wishes us success for Gay Games VIII. We will be providing a report on these Games, which were indeed a success, with the hope and expectation that we can discuss FGG Olympic initiatives including the OASIS program and the Principle 5 Campaign.

Staffer brings Gay Games gold to White House

From the Washington Post's "Federal Eye":

Kei Koizumi faces plenty of hurdles at the office, dealing with budgetary and policy issues in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. And last weekend he won a gold medal for clearing some others — literally.

Koizumi, 41, earned gold last Thursday in the 110-meter hurdles at the 8th International Gay Games, held in Cologne, Germany. He completed the race in 23.25 seconds, placing first in the 40 to 44-year-old age group.

[...]

Koizumi joined OSTP last year from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and spends his days focused on budget and appropriations issues related to NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Science Foundation and the Energy Department. In his down time he swims and runs, but rarely practices for hurdles, he said.

“I didn’t think I was hooked on it, but I’d done the hurdles at a different distance at the last games and thought I’d try this sprint distance in Cologne,” Koizumi said in an interview.

“I tried it, and hey, I was pretty good at it,” he said with a laugh.

Koizumi’s husband, Commerce Department employee Jeff Dutton, also earned silver at the games for placing second in his first-ever marathon.

Tongue firmly planted in cheek, OSTP spokesman Rick Weiss said colleagues already considered Koizumi “a world-class hurdler” for regularly clearing bureaucratic barriers.

“We at OSTP expect such nimbleness, but do not generally give out medals for it,” Weiss said. “It’s nice to see Kei so aptly rewarded.”

He brought his gold medal to work on Monday, the same day President Obama feted the Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints, but refused to wear it around the office.

No word yet if the athletic First Couple plan to acknowledge Koizumi’s win or seek his exercise tips.

In the meantime, the Ohio native said he’ll stay focused on budget issues and training for the 2014 games.

More photos from Tom Waddell Award announcement

Brent Nicholson Earle, Sara Waddell Lewinstein, Stephen Frost

Tom Waddell Award winners Sara Waddell Lewinstein (2010), Lydia Zijdel-La Rivière (2006), Brent Nicholson Earle (2010), and Derek Liecty (2006)

Matthew Mitcham, Sara Waddell Lewinstein, Brent Nicholson Earle, Leigh Ann Naidoo

Nominees Pepe Garcia-Vasquze, Dick Uyvari, Sam Coady, and Steve Burke

Nominee Sam Coady with fellow member of the board of Chicago Games Inc. and current co-president of the FGG Kurt Dahl

Emy Ritt with London 2012 Director of Diversity and Inclusion Stephen Frost

Ambassador David Kopay, Guest of honor Matthew Mitcham, Tom Waddell Award nominees Dick Uyvari and Steve Burke, FGG Officer Communications Kelly Stevens

The winners of the 2010 Tom Waddell Award were announced at a briefing at the Pullman Hotel in Cologne on the morning of Opening Ceremony of Gay Games VIII. Here are some more photos from that event.

Dr. Guido Westerwelle's speech at opening ceremony

It is a great honor for me to welcome you. First of all, I would like to welcome all our international guests here to the wonderful city of Cologne, here in Germany. We are delighted to have you here.

Whether you are straight or lesbian or gay, bisexual or transgender, you are all very welcome here in Cologne, here in Germany! Enjoy the hospitality of Germany and especially of the wonderful city of Cologne and of the Rhine Valley.

It is a great privilege for all of us and especially for me and my partner that we can meet tonight in the open and without fear. We will never forget the generations who have fought for our freedom.

Our thoughts tonight are with all those who are not privileged but oppressed. Our thoughts are with all gays and lesbians, bisexual and transgender people in the world who are still treated like criminals. In more than 75 countries, there are laws stopping consenting adults from being with the man or the woman they love. In at least seven countries, gays and lesbians must fear the death sentence.

These countries use religion as a pretext to turn prejudice and hatred into law. No religion can ever justify murder! Killing and torturing minorities can not be justified by culture! This is not culture, this is exactly the opposite.

We will not go silent until these laws are repealed. We will continue our fight until no one has to be afraid to be openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, anywhere in the world.

Let me underline the clear message: We want no privileges, we want respect.
Wir fragen nicht nach Privilegien, wir fragen nach Respekt.

Let me add: In Germany, for example, gays and lesbians across all party lines have been elected to high public office.

I want to thank organizers, staff, and volunteers, who made these Games possible.

I wish you all fascinating Gay Games! You are the role model for a society everybody can be part of. So let us all "Be part of it".

Some diplomatic support for Cleveland-Akron

Thanks, among other reasons, to the support offered by German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, patron of Gay Games VIII, the diplomatic presence at Gay Games VIII was strong. This lasted to the very end, when representatives of the American consulates closest to Cologne carried the 2014 logo flag into closing ceremony along with Valarie McCall, who was present all week in Cologne representing Mayor of Cleveland Frank Jackson.

Flanking Ms. McCall on the left, Matt Pashke, Vice-Consul in Frankfurt and a Northeast Ohio native, and on the right, Chris Grossman, Acting Consul General in Duesseldorf.

Right behind them Susan Hamo and Dirk Breiding of the Akron-Summit convention and visitors bureau.

Photo courtesy Têtu.

Live from Cologne - Emotional transfer of Gay Games flag to Cleveland

The transfer of the official Gay Games flag from the host city to the next host is always an emotional experience, perhaps most especially for those who have just given their heart and soul for four years to plan, organize and execute a Gay Games. Cologne, you were wonderful and will always be remembered for these beautiful, well-organized and spirited Gay Games. And now we look to Cleveland which will host Gay Games IX in 2014.

Many most things will be posted here in coming days and weeks, but here's a photo from the Closing Ceremony. Click HERE to view the video on Facebook.

Cleveland-Akron delegation at Neumarkt Games Village

The middle of the week saw the arrival of some new members of the Cleveland-Akron 2014 delegation, seen here with FGG volunteers and visitors to their booth at Neumarkt Games Village.

My Games (Hard) Rock!

The official delegation from Cleveland-Akron 2014 hosted a lively gathering last night at the Hard Rock Café Cologne. Representatives from FGG member organizations got a taste of America and of Cleveland’s rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Members of the Cleveland delegation expressed their appreciation for the support from the FGG and for the welcome offered by Games Cologne. And since it never hurts to start fundraising early, an original Fender guitar was auctioned off.

Message for 2014: start practicing your chords now!

Thanks to the Cleveland-Akron people, and to the Hard Rock Café on Gürzenichstraasse near Heumarkt.

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.

Live from Cologne - it's DOCTOR Guido Westerwelle

OK for all of my friends back home who have been asking "wait - who was that great looking politician that gave that inspiring speech at Opening Ceremony?" That was Dr. Guido Westerwelle, the Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister of Germany. Yes he's openly gay, but someone else has already landed this hot doctor so tell your mother to search for a new guy for you!

Here Vice Chancellor Westerwelle poses with the Cologne athletes outside Opening Ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Games Cologne

Memorial quilts found, day saved!

Games Cologne co-president Michael Lohaus, Valarie McCall, Mayor of Cologne Juergen Roters, FGG co-president Kurt Dahl, in front of the FGG memorial quilt

The Federation of Gay Games is an international organization, the governing body for an event that moves to a different city every four years. As such, getting all items needed for each edition of the Games from wherever they may be stored or displayed to the host city is always a bit of a headache.

Shipments to Gay Games VIII have particularly suffered from problems. The Dr Tom Waddell Trophy, for example, went on a trip from Chicago to New York, where a new shipping container was ordered, to Boston, to Southampton, to London, to Paris, and finally, to Cologne. It arrived in good condition, but other shipments were more problematic.

At each Gay Games a new memorial quilt is created, and the display of all the quilts, along with the Federation's own memorial quilt, is always an important event during the Gay Games week (see this edition's exhibition at the old Rathaus of Cologne in the Spanischer Bau near Heumarkt). Alas, a box containing five quilts, including two on exceptional loan to the FGG by the Names Project, disappeared. These priceless objects, part of our collective memory, risked being lost forever.

When this bad news was announced by Brent Nicholson Earle at the opening of the exhibition last Friday, City of Cleveland Chief of Government Affairs Valarie McCall, who's leading the Cleveland-Akron 2014 delegation to Gay Games VIII, immediately stepped out of the room and got on the phone to FedEx's government affairs department, where she forcefully communicated the importance of tracking this box that had been lost for more than two weeks.

Within an hour, FedEx (thanks Patricia) was on the phone with Brent, who described the contents of the box. In the video below, you'll see what happens...



Thanks to the folks at FedEx, and a bit round of applause for Valarie McCall!

Live from Cologne - Cleveland ready to become host city

The group here representing Cleveland 2014 is pretty impressive. Top folks from city government, tourism, business organizations, potential sponsors, all taking in the activities and trying to get a glimpse of behind the scenes. Speaking from experience, it's a lot to take in and you really can't get a flavor of all the hard work Cologne is putting in from just the appearance of a well-run Gay Games. But the Cleveland folks, to their credit, don't look like deer in headlights. That make-it-work attitude will help them a lot in the next four years.

Photo of Cleveland officials after FGG VIP reception by Kevin Boyer.

Games Cologne/FGG scholarship reception

The morning before opening ceremony saw a reception for Games Cologne and Federation of Gay Games scholarship beneficiaries. Among the hundreds of athletes supported, Games Cologne was in charge of those from Eastern Europe, while the FGG handled the rest of the world, with a focus on the Chosen FEW soccer club from Soweto, whose journey to Cologne was made possible by a generous gift from Dick Uyvari in honor of his late partner Joe LaPat.

FGG Ambassador Leigh Ann Naidoo hosted the meeting, which included a speech from Deputy Mayor Angela Spizig, and a brief message of appreciation from GLISA co-presidents Wessel Van Kampen and Julia Applegate, who presented a plaque in honor of the occasion to the co-presidents of Games Cologne and of the FGG. Games Cologne head of scholarships Alen Popovic and his FGG counterpart Paul Oostenbrug welcomed participants, offered advice on the week to come, and explained to all present the challenges of funding and operating this program.

Also present were FGG Ambassadors Michelle Ferris, John Amaechi and David Kopay, along with guest Matthew Mitcham.

The meeting concluded with participants sharing stories of their journey to Cologne, including the reading of a rousing poem by a member of the Chosen FEW (we're trying to get the text for you), all to the sound of vuvuzelas (ahem).

Opening of exhibition at German Sport and Olympic Museum

The exhibition featuring portraits of out gay and lesbian athletes, the history of the LGBT sports movement, and memorabilia from past Gay Games lent by the San Francisco Public Library is one of the highlights of Gay Games VIII. Among the personalities present at the opening of the exhibition tonight were speakers including Deputy Mayor Angela Spizig and MP Volker Beck (initiator of the legislation creating same-sex marriage in Germany); Tom Waddell Award nominees Sara Waddell Lewinstein and Brent Nicholson Earle; and Gay Games Ambassadors John Amaechi and Michelle Ferris.

Exhibition flyer HERE.

Information about the exhibition HERE.

Irish Minister for Sport supports Team Ireland

Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Ireland, has sent this letter of support to Team Ireland in anticipation of Gay Games VIII. Thanks to Frank Kelly of Out in Ireland who has led the efforts to organize Team Ireland.

Éire go Brách!