World’s LGBT-athletes will gather in Cologne in
One Year for Gay Games VIII
Cologne, Germany, July 31, 2009 – Today the countdown clock in the “gay village” in Cologne, Germany, reads “365 days to go” as the city and its LGBT community gets ready to welcome the world for the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010. Positioned on the building above "Ex-Corner", one of Cologne’s most famous gay bars, the clock has been counting down for more than a year, reminding visitors and residents alike that Cologne will host the 8th Gay Games.
The Gay Games are a quadrennial sports and cultural festival founded in 1982 by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete. Celebrated every four years, the Gay Games motto is “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best.” Drawing up to 12,000 participants – more than the Olympic Games – previous Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1982, 1986), Vancouver (1990), New York (1994), Amsterdam (1998), Sydney (2002) and Chicago (2006).
Gay Games VIII, July 31 to August 7, 2010, begins exactly one year from today, with an inspiring Opening Ceremony at RheinEnergie Stadium, the city’s football (soccer) stadium. “We expect up to 48,000 people at the Opening Ceremony,” said Andrea Muller, head of the Gay Games Cologne Ceremony & Culture Task Force. “Planning is still underway, but like past Gay Games ceremonies, the program will include famous international artists.”
Local support in Cologne for the Gay Games VIII has been strong, led by the City’s Mayor. Even the city’s famous bakeries have gotten into the spirit, introducing the “Cologne Coin Cookie,” a red and white shortbread pastry that bears the Gay Games VIII Cologne logo and is available for sale throughout the city. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Gay Games VIII scholarship recipients from Eastern Europe. The city is also learning that the Gay Games are open to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation and regardless of ability. Many local residents (“straight but not narrow”) are expected to participate in events such as the Marathon and Road Races.
With one year to go, planning for the 34 sports being offered is well underway. “Most sports venues have been finalized,” said Karl-Heinz Schmitz, Gay Games Cologne Sports Officer. “Each will meet international standards and requirements of their relevant sanctioning bodies,” a requirement from the Federation of Gay Games for all Gay Games hosts. “We would like to thank the City of Cologne for its great support,” added Schmitz. “Cologne is known as ‘the sports city,’ and we are living up to our name.”
Registrations from athletes are beginning to accelerate with about 1,400 registered so far. In North America, for example, several cities are planning “One Year To Cologne” parties to help kick-off preparations for the event, and materials have been distributed to participants at more than 150 events worldwide in the last 6 months.
Media outlets have also begun to show their support by becoming partners. Publications from Australia (Sydney Star Observer, Southern Star, Out In Perth), USA (Windy City Times, Desert Daily Guide, Talk Magazine, Splash Magazine, Options News), United Kingdom (reFRESH), and Germany (BLU, Mate magazine) are now among the sponsors of the 2010 Gay Games with more joining regularly.
Cologners will soon get another reminder of the pending Gay Games. A second countdown clock is being added to Cologne’s “old town,” outside of the gay village (which is called by some the 'Bermuda Triangle'.) “We want to energize the entire city,” said Ingo Schneider, Gay Games Cologne Press Officer. The city itself will be on display during the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010, especially during the Gay Games Village. Andrea Müller has an exciting plan for this village: “We’re creating a centrally located meeting point where participants and visitors can find information, meet, or simply relax. Our vibrant arts and cultural community is also helping coordinate activities and exhibitions.”
The “One Year To Go” celebrations might be taking place in Cologne tonight, but, ironically, many of the Gay Games Cologne’s leaders are missing out. They’re in Copenhagen, Denmark, promoting the Gay Games VIII at yet another LGBT sports event, the OutGames. When they return, the clock above "Ex-Corner" will be under a year for the first time. Maybe they’ll stop in for a Kölsch, the beer famously made only in the Cologne region. But just like all organizing committees before them, they’ll quickly get back to work as they prepare their city to welcome thousands next year to the Gay Games VIII Cologne 201.
Prost! (Cheers)
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