VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

The Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 is an enormous logistic challenge. Sometimes small stories on the verge of the main event are considerably more significant then plenty of numbers. As soon as the 200 cyclists have reached the finish line in the North of Cologne, they will be escorted back to the centre by the police. This special service is offered due to the racing cycles’ characteristics: because the bikes don’t have lights, the police will accompany the participants back to town for their own protection.

The statistics of the Gay Games Cologne are impressive: 22,500 medals with a total weight of 4.3 tons will be awarded during the games. Twelve kilometer of barrier tape will be used along the race tracks. 75,000 apples and bananas will be given out to refresh the 10,000 participants during the Gay Games-week. “It’s a pretty challenge to get the fruits every day to the sports venues”, says Christoph Gasper-Carouge, head of the working team “infrastructure”.

The main work was done long time before the opening of the games by many voluntary organizers. They took care that for example 20 sailing boats were transported with five trucks from the North Sea Coast to the Dutch Roermond, where the Sailing Competition of the Gay Games will take place. Furthermore the organizers had to borrow all together five palettes of ale-benches and –tables, to build them up around the various sports venues. For the tennis tournament they had to supply 1,200 balls. In addition to this the organizers were responsible for the welcome packages which were handed over to each participant.