Last day at TIP sports village

Sunday was the last full day at the Sports Village of the TIP Paris International Tournament. The day was focused on dancing, and opened with a screening of Australian documentary Ballroom Rules, which follows a group of same-sex dancers training for and competing at Gay Games VIII in Cologne, 2010.

Les Gais Musette continued the day with a series of open classes and dance sessions in the demonstration area.

FGG board members Marc Naimark and Sonia Abécassis had the pleasure of meeting Barbara and Adam from Eurogames 2011.

En français / Des Frontrunners médaillés à Rotterdam félicités par la Ville de Marseille

Richard Miron, adjoint au maire et délégué aux sports de la ville de Marseille remet à des sportifs des Frontrunners une médaille de la ville de Marseille pour marquer leurs performances lors des Eurogames de Rotterdam l'été dernier.

Richard Miron, deputy mayor in charge of sport for the city of Marseille presents Marseille Frontrunners with a medal of honor from the city as recognition of their performance at the 2011 Eurogames in Rotterdam.

FGG sends its condolences to our Norwegian friends

Following the horrific attacks in Norway on Saturday 22 July, the FGG sends its heartfelt condolences to our Norwegian friends, some of whom are with us this weekend in Rotterdam at the 2011 Eurogames.

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.

Against the Rules exhibition on display at Eurogames accreditation

The Against the Rules exhibition, displayed last year at the German Sport and Olympic Museum during Gay Games VIII, is currently presented at the Schouwburg theater, the accreditation center for Eurogames 2011 in Rotterdam.

The exhibition is made up of a series of pop up panels, most of which present a biography of a figure of LGBT sport.

Among those featured are Gay Games Ambassadors Billie Jean King and Greg Louganis, and the founder of the Gay Games, Dr Tom Waddell.

Eurogames 2011 an investment in tolerance

As described in today's Radio Netherlands press review, LGBT sporting events are important vectors for social change everywhere. Even in a country that is a model of openness, homophobia remains a problem. The commitment of the city government to ensuring the success of Eurogames 2011 is visible throughout the city, including on these giant posters on the Schouwburgplein in the heart of the city.


Hand in hand, Camarades

“The anthem of football club Feyenoord – Hand in hand, kamaraden. Almost everyone from Rotterdam knows the marching song by heart. But what homosexual would actually dare to walk hand in hand in public in Holland’s second city?” asks NRC Handelsblad.

“I would, but then again, I’m not the type to be easily intimidated,” says former Conservative VVD local politician Jerry van der Waarde. “Amsterdam has established itself as the hospitable homosexual capital of Europe... Rotterdam - with 174 different nationalities - is the stalwart bastion of working-class, macho culture.” In fact, the city’s council is concerned about the rise in gay hate crimes.

“One of the reasons to move the EuroGames to Rotterdam,” explains the NRC. The European gay games [sic] are starting today in the city of machismo - a five-day international sports and cultural event with participants from 42 different countries. Organisers expect a turnout of over 30,000 people.

The council is putting up half of the two-million-euro budget. “A generous but much-needed gesture,” says the chairman of the organising committee. “In Rotterdam, we still have a world to win.”

Eurogames 2011 accreditation opens

Yesterday accreditation opened for the 4500 athletes participating in Eurgames 2011 in Rotterdam. The FGG was present in the beautiful Schouwburg theater where dedicated volunteers are busy providing credentials, travel passes, and goodie bags.

The Federation of Gay Games thanks Eurugames 2011 and the EGLSF for their support, which includes a Gay Games 9 flyer in each welcome bag, a full page ad in the official program, and the opportunity to meet participants and volunteers here at accreditation. We were pleased to be able to talk face to face about the next edition of the Gay Games to potential participants, including these women from Team Ireland.

Special thanks to marketing and communications manager Tinca Postema who has been very helpful and patient in making our partnership such a success. Tinca is seen here with FGG VP for External Affairs Marc Naimark. Other board members present in Rotterdam are Klaus Heusslein, Sonia Abecassis and FGG copresident Emy Ritt.

Listen to the official song of Eurogames 2011: Show your color!

Sung by Dutch pop star Raffaella Paton.

Last days to register for Eurogames 2011 at lower rate! Show Your Colour!

Raffaela Paton sings the theme song for Eurogames 2011.

Register before 31 May to take advantage of the standard fee! All info HERE.