VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

Magnificent opening

In the end, the countdown was not only to be seen but also to be heard. The numbers on the large scoreboard in the RhineEnergie Stadium decreased second-by-second towards zero and in the grandstands the spectators supported the clock by loudly counting down with it. As the zero appears, rejoicing brakes out in the stadium - this is the beginning of a magnificent opening celebration.

For three hours, fire-eaters, drummers and many musicians helped to produce an emotional and very atmospheric prelude to the Gay Games Cologne. At the beginning the almost 10,000 participants ran inside the stadium to celebratory music. A lonely Angolan started the procession and at the end the team from the city of Cologne with its 900 athletes marched into the arena. Occasionally the 70 participant nations presented themselves extremely colourfully: The Thais came with small crowns on their heads, the South Africans blew into their Vuvuzuelas and the British waved a pink Union Jack. The French team celebrated the first Mexican Wave of the evening.

The 25,000 people in the RhineEnergie Stadium were welcomed by the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guido Westerwelle, the highest-ranking patron in the history of the Gay Games to date. “We will never forget the generation that fought for our freedom”, said Westerwelle, then adding, “Our thoughts are with all lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in the world, who are still treated like criminals”. Westerwelle also thanked the organisation team of the Gay Games Cologne and received a long round of applause for his speech.

The opening of the Gay Games was full of high points: A fire-eater ignited the Gay Games torch, the rainbow flag was ceremonially flown. Dancers, drummers and fire artists symbolised the continents of the world, which meet under the rainbow flag at the Gay Games. For the conclusion, Agnes and Taylor Dayne warmed up the spectators. Agnes sang her hit single “Release Me”, and Taylor Dayne sang her most loved hits. The opening ceremony ended with multicoloured fireworks from the stadium ground, with Dayne singing “Facing A miracle”, the official anthem of the 2010 Gay Games.

 

Die Rede von Bundesaußenminister Guido Westerwelle hier nachlesen (englisch/deutsch).

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