Games Cologne 2010 News Feed

A second summer fairytale is coming to an end

cbucher — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:48:13 +0200

It was like a little déjà vu. Thankful but a little embittered the Cream Team Cologne received the Bronze medal for their 3rd place in the soccer division 1. It reminded a lot of July, 10 2010 when the national team of Germany received the Bronze medal. Like the national soccer players, the Cream Team Cologne had dreamed of higher goals. “We are satisfied and were even happy about the 5:0 in the match for the 3rd place. But it was our goal to win the tournament,” says Cream Team player Anwar Jaziri. Two years ago the Cologne soccer players lost against the Stonewall Lions during the Eurogames and planned a return match for this year. In the semi-final they failed against the FC United who with it made it to the final of the Gay Games tournament. “FC United scored to lucky goals and I missed a penalty. We dominated the match for a long time, United was the lucky one in the end, “tells Jaziri.

While the German soccer players were still angry, the FC United had to play against the Stonewall Lions in the final. Those showed not only a better soccer during the first half time but had also a lot more chances to score than the players in the white tricots from FC United. The more surprising was the first goal of the games which brought the lead to the players of FC United.

The “reds” from London of course couldn´t take the setback and scored the tie short after the break. There were some chances during the next half hour, but neither the players of FC United not the ones of Stonewall Lions could score the leading goal. Both teams showed signs of exhaustion due to the exertions during the last days and there were some bad passes and distracted actions. In the 81st minute, as all players already thought of an extra time, the Lions managed to score the 2:1 and therefore the winning goal in the final of division 1 at the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010. When finally the final whistle sounded, the players of Stonewall Lions lay in each other’s arms and forgot the tiredness for a moment. “There is no recreational day for the soccer players. It´s noticeable in the legs,” explains Cream Cologne player Jaziri.

Just before the final of the division 1, the finalists of division 2 faced each other. A game, that would have moved Diego Maradona to tears. Of course, tears of joy. With a superior 3:0 the team Argentina&LASC Eclipse of WEHO got the title. “We had great expectations but didn´t know the strength of the other teams. We played with our heart and won,” celebrated the Argentinian soccer player Gustavo Schwindt. That there was such an unambiguous result was due to the good preparation of the Argentinean team. “It was an easy game. We knew beforehand how the Jet City Strikers were playing as we had watched their matches. So we had a strategy how to run up to them,” explains Schwindt. Besides playing well, the Argentineans also were the winners in celebrating. After the defeat against Germany in the quarter final of the World Soccer Cup, this match was compensation in any case for the players in blue.

A little bit of the flair of the 1. FC Cologne was spread by the stadium speaker Michael Trippel who changed his working place at the RheinEnergieStadium for the one at NetCologneStadium. As a volunteer he commented the women´s final as well as the two men´s finals of the Gay Games though he had to go back to his soccer club 1. FC Cologne short after the end of the last game. “Be part of it” also is valid for the FC of course.

10000 people at the official closing ceremony of Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010

cbucher — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:05:48 +0200

10.000 people came to the closing ceremony of the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 on Saturday evening to the Tanzbrunnen Cologne. The participants from 70 nations walked through the cheering crowd, celebrating happily. They were accompanied by the Pink Poms from Cologne and the cheerleaders from San Francisco, who once again demonstrated their amazing skills. The show was presented by Michael Klein and an ambassador of the Gay Games, Bernie Blanks from New York.

After an emotional speech to the guests from Vice Mayor Elfi Sho-Antwerpes, in which she thanked all participants for coming to Cologne, the flame was extinguished and the flag of the Federation of Gay Games was handed over to the hosts of the Gay Games IX Cleveland 2014.

To the sound of “Du bes die Stadt (you are the city)” numerous people from Cologne among the visitors joined and sang the song aloud. Some of the participants even had tears in their eyes. Everyone was a winner - especially the Kölner AIDS-Hilfe for whom Chears San Francisco and the Pink Poms from Cologne collected 3000 Euros during the evening.

After a week full of sport and emotions, the closing ceremony was the grand finale of the Games. In front of an impressive scene with a view to the Cathedral the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 came to an end – but the spirit of the Gay Games in Cologne will stay in the heart for a long time.

WHAT A SOCCER FESTIVAL!!!

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 14:46:04 +0200

At the Playa in Cologne at the Stadium they were spoiled with a one of a kind show program, organized also by the present soccer teams from all over the world.

The start of the stage program was provided by the lesbian-gay fan club of the 1. FC Cologne “Andersrum rut-wiess” who numerous, fervently and with a lot of enthusiasm sang the official FC hymn. Without exception, the international show acts like the one of Ollie Golding (player of the London Falcons) with his wonderful voice, the rousing rodeo dance “Riding Solo” of the soccer girls of the Seattle Surge or the performance of the Flying Bats from Sydney rocked the Playa. A spontaneous performance of a kicker from Alabama, who sang two Cover songs of Madonna live, led to a real storm of enthusiasm.

Another highlight was provided by the referees, singing songs of ABBA. The sparkling musical finish of the evening was set by the boys of the Special Guest Band who instead of playing only the scheduled 45 min for twice the time due to the many encores demanded by the crowd.

The program was presented by Sacha Korf, who astonished the guests with his knowledge of five foreign languages and filled them with enthusiasm.

The pleasant result of this benefit performance will be handed over to the organizers of the Gay Games.

Here you can find the photos of the evening: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1656285088#!/photo.php?pid=840313&id=1028281490&ref=fbx_album

Synchronize yourself: water, music & acrobatic etudes.

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 14:27:32 +0200

French male team has done their best to win amazing, eccentric competition in synchronized swimming today. Not only aligned movements in water were among their advantages in comparison with their British mates. It was first of all about artistic expression and great team work.

‘Synchroswimming seems to me even more challenging sport then figure skating’, - says Konstantin Yablotskiy from Russia who has just recently won golden medal in dance competition for figure skating. ‘Greatest thing about Gay Games is that it´s not about sport excersize it´s much more about idea and how you can realize this idea in performance’ thinks Denis Matveev who participated in swimming. Both Russian guys were excited about professional performance of their French colleagues and noted that it´s almost impossible to play sport in Russia as a gay group. ‘Even it´s quite popular among gay community to visit fitness clubs in Moscow, it´s not possible to find venue for practicing figure skating for the same-sex couple’, - comments Konstantin. Despite that fact, participants from Russia are highly inspired and willing to take sport culture to the new level in their mother-land. Therefore they cheer for all their mates from other countries and promise to come back for the next Gay Games with more achievements.

Meanwhile, winners for all water sports (swimming, synchronize swimming, waterpolo) were defined today. More opportunities to watch and support players in soccer, volleyball, basketball and badminton are to come tomorrow. We part of it!

More photos can be found at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

Women Water Polo

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 14:12:47 +0200

Two women teams combined with members from the teams of USA, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherland and UK played all together more than against each other, happily and with lot of sport spirit.

The water polo competition is open to all teams therefore there were registered close to “all men” teams also “mixed” ones. Some woman took the opportunity and they wanted to dispute a game only for and with women. This was the second “only women” water polo game after the first at Gay Games in Sydney.

Not only players, but also Volunteer and Officials could have played. Sonja van de Logt was also part of it „It was amazing how the women they organized themselves into the games, how each one found its place and the game altogether was a real fun”. The groups were randomly mixed so that not too many women of the same team were playing in the new formed one. It was done a good game was thanks to the support of a women trainer.

The Team Blue started strong and it had already after the first 51 seconds the first goal and built the leading to a 1:4 up. After that came the heavy minutes of the woman game N.12, which could short to a 3:4, before the N.4 brought the blue team to the final score of 3:5.

In this way the Team Blue won against the Team White with a 3:5.

To the question, where Corinna of the Team White likes playing, she answered that she’s much delighted on both sides. „There are women, whom are happier playing with women and this is possible at the Gay Games.

More photos can be found at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

Quotes – Facing a miracle

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:47:25 +0200

During the last days visitors and participants were asked for their impressions at the opening ceremony of the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 last Saturday.

Every single one of them was full of enthusiasm about the event. The visitors much liked the run of the event, and – even that the stadium wasn´t sold out – the atmosphere was fantastic as if the stadium was filled up to the last seat. The entrance of the participants was touching. So many sparkling, expecting faces could be seen, their joy to be part of it could be felt by the spectators and got the crowd going.

The speeches of Foreign Minister Westerwelle and Mayor of Cologne Roters were praised and one felt addressed as well as recognized in one’s personal life situation. The feeling of finally being part of a society, which takes matters of gays and lesbians serious, was overwhelming.

The work of the volunteers, who partly had put hundreds of hours of preparing time into the supporting program, had been recognized. The show parts were judged as being full of action, professional and colourful. The tenor of the people asked was: “Awesome what you did with the little budget you had!” Several times the people stated that the Gay Games wouldn´t have to hide behind opening ceremonies at Olympic Games.

Specially praised was the stage program of Taylor Dayne. She kept the crowd going and turned the stadium into a party-mile. A person questioned commented on the official Gay Games song “Facing a miracle”: “ Every time I hear the song I get goose bumps. The lyrics of the winning song of the contest touch my feelings. And I like that it is played for the medal ceremonies. The opening ceremony, even the whole Games in Cologne were like facing a wonder. For me personally, this week doesn´t have to end!”

“Be healthy, be gay!”

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:40:20 +0200

She is living in Peking. Thanks to the Outreach Program of the Gay Games VIII she could participate at the 5000 m run. José Ospina-Valencia interviewed her while she was cheering on her friend at the softball final.

KL
„My name is Karen Liao and I am a participant in the Gay Games. I did the 5000 m road race yesterday with my personal best time. I have always been a weak runner but I think Gay Games is for fun and it´s about being a part of it. So I feel happy and thank you.”

JO
“How did you hear about the Gay Games?”

KL
“Because of my girlfriend, she is Taiwanese and playing softball, and she is here with her team. And they are in the final right now. I am watching her playing against an international team with members from different countries and continents. She was going to the Gay Games and told me about it. In the beginning I didn´t want to come because as a student I don´t have a lot of money. So she told me that I could apply for the scholarship and I did and won the scholarship.”

JO
“Congratulations. What kind of scholarship did you receive?”

KL
“I got the scholarship to get the travel expenses paid, they (the Outreach program) bought the ticket for me so that I can be here in Cologne.”

JO
“Did you have any problems in China to come to the Gay Games, did they know why you are coming to Cologne?”

KL
“Personally I don´t have a problem as I came out to my parents and I am out at the campus. Most of my friends know that I am a lesbian. But I believe that the majority of the LGBT community in China has very little resources. Very little information is coming to China and only a few people know about the Gay Games. This is the first reason why so few Chinese participants attend the Gay Games. The second is that most of them have an economic problem, they don´t have enough money to buy the tickets for international travel. And I think, as coming out in China is still not easy, especially to your parents, as in China family values a lot. You have to marry and have kids so it´s hard to come out in China. To be out in sport competitions is even harder. Usually you risk your career in professional sport when you tell your team members that you are gay or lesbian. So it is a very good idea to have a sport event dedicated to gay people.”

JO
“Now you are here in Cologne for a week and you were running the 5000 m yesterday. Today you are watching your girlfriend play with her Taiwan team against an international team. What is your experience so far?”

KL
“I´ve been very happy in Cologne because the people here are very friendly and I think I can be very proud and very out. In China we cannot be so proud and so out. We are still afraid of people finding out, especially colleagues or parents or family members. But here it is a very gay city; you can see the rainbow flag all over the city which makes me very happy. Here at the Gay Games I see more gay people than straight people so I feel like the majority and not the minority. This is a very good feeling.”

JO
“What is the message that you, Karen Liao take back home to your country and your people?”

KL
“Number one: Be healthy!”
“Number two: Be proud of yourself!”
“And number three: Be out to the world!”

Final Football Women

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:19:29 +0200

Friday afternoon – the most important moment of a long football week for the women, the final matches are ready to start!

At the Fun-Division 3 the spectators on the “Kleinfeld” were about to face a true local Derby: the cologne team „Torfabrik” against the fellow citizen team „Bösen Möwen 1“. Which started the game Highly motivated because the second team the „Böse Möwen 2” won the third place against the Amsterdam team.

However the fans of the „Bösen Möwen 1“were in a very good mood and the atmosphere recalled for the similarly the fan of the 1.FC Köln. This moment was celebrated full equipped with whistles, vuvuzelas and megaphones. Also all the other already divided teams did not want to miss the opportunity to follow the Final.

All players were especially enthusiastic for this atmosphere. „This week was amazing and it was real fun. It’s Great that we met so many international teams and now we have at home the tricot of all nations”, said Christine from the cologne sport association „Wild Bunch“.

The spectators were not disappointed; the game was as expected really fascinating. Strongly but fairly both teams played for the ambitious trophy. After a nerve-wracking 7m penalty shooting it was undoubtedly clear which was the winner: the „Torfabrik“defeated the „Bösen Möwen 1“with a 2:0.

The victory was extensively partied and it was also collegially celebrated from the local favorite the „Bösen Möwen 1“which sang: „We are the number two of the Rhine”.

With this the first three places of the Fun-Division 3 went to the cologne teams. Well done girls!
The second Final of the day took longer to find at the end the glorious winner. The finalists of the division 2 faced each other with the support of two Fans blocks more quiet but always very supportive. After the Cologne Derby of the Division 3 now is about: Franconians against Franconians or also “Hobbergaasen” against “Frangnggörls”.

After a dangerous action of the “Hobbergaasen”, the “Frangnggörls” succeeded on making the first goal on the last minute of the first half of the game. With it they lead after the half time and went clearly with more self-confidence in the last 20 minutes of the game. Short before the end of the game the “Hobbergaasen” renewed the ambition and after two missed opportunities they succeeded the third chance and gained the balance between the teams, which brought to the extended time.
Also here was not possible to obtain a winner.

„You are preparing yourself for a long evening“, this joke of Moderator at beginning of the penalty shooting seemed about to become truth. In total 11 times the players shot for the goal before that the “Frangnggörls” gained a point and with it the “Hobbergaasen” ended the 7m penalty shooting with a 6:5. More than a “so looks like the winner” was not possible to obtain at the party of the football players but the “Frangnggörls” did not leave their mood to be spoiled and it was possible to see on the football field dancing from the point of the 11m penalty shooting.

Two derbies and many happy players – one successfully end of a successfully tournament.

© Benjamin Hahn	© Benjamin Hahn
© Benjamin Hahn	© Benjamin Hahn

More photos can be found at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

Quotes: There always should be a little fun

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:02:26 +0200

At the stadium, on the street, at the tram stop and in the villages participants and visitors of the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 were asked, if they experienced something funny during their stay in Cologne.

Most of them answered, that all the time something funny was happening; they had a lot of fun at the Games and the surrounding.

Enea from Switzerland thought it was funny when the tram from the stadium back to the city on the evening of the opening ceremony stopped in the middle of the way and didn´t go on. This was no problem for the passengers. It just meant that the echo of the opening ceremony stayed a bit longer and the party started earlier.

Rudi, also from Switzerland talked about his relay race in the track & field stadium, which he did with 3 colleagues from Bern. Even in Switzerland the Berners are considered to be veeeeeery slow and here of all starts they did a false start, one of only a few during the Games in Cologne. After finishing the race they even were listed as being first on the scoreboards which lead to a lot of laughter as they came in as the last. The scoreboard then was corrected quickly.

Daniele, a visitor from Italy put it in a nutshell in other respects: he thought it to be awesome and funny that good looking man winked at him openly.

Summary: There always should be a little fun

The VIP Cyclists

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:12:07 +0200

Tob e escorted by the police, normally it´s only provided for VIPs, very „important” persons. Such as politicians, top stars or even the single time trial cyclists at the Gay Games Cologne. They got their own police escort to get safely from the Fuehlinger Lake to the city centre of Cologne. As the trip back by train for all athletes would have been a bit awkward, 50 of them accepted the offer to do the 15 min ride back by bike. “I am so tired, I would rather like to take the bus,” gold medallist Kate Rowe statet. “But we are driving with the police escort, so it will be safe.” Surrounded by police cars, the cyclist could head home at 9 pm after a successful race. Overall a familiar atmosphere reigned at the Fuehlinger Lake. There hadn´t been many spectators, but the few were quite busy in cheering loudly on the German participants. Gold medallist at the age class 55 to 59 without license, Kate Rowe was very satisfied with the event. Due to the long trip to Germany the Australian couldn´t take part with her own bike. “It would have cost me like 1000 $ to bring my own bike. My host borrowed me a bike.” Doing a race on some other´s bike isn´t always easy, therefore the Australian is especially happy about the gold medal.

The Gay Games Cologne are the 5th she is participating in and very enthusiastic about Cologne. “After some difficulties in the beginning with the time taking, the race ran smooth. The Gay Games offer such a secure and friendly environment. The Games are something special.”

More photos can be found at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

Master of numbers

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:47:24 +0200

From 6 pm on, it´s getting busy in the small, dark room of the sports office at the RheinEnergieStadium. There, in the in the flat building on the right side of the stadium, the so called result service is residing. This is Oliver Zeisberger. He leads the working group IT at the Gay Games Cologne together with Jens Wiesner. Wiesner´s main emphasis is on the control of Etix, a provider of electronic tickets. Zeisberger´s task is to collect the interim and final results of each sport and to publish them on www.games-cologne.de. As many events finish around 7 pm, it gets a bit busier. “Furthermore there are a lot of differences in our work” explains Zeisberger. For example, the events of the ballroom dancing were held till deep into the night. “But I stop working at 3 am. If results aren´t available at this time we just put them online during the next morning.” Tennis doesn´t take that long, but here the interim results are very important. Out of them the pairing for the next day are placed.

The result service receives most of the results via mail, prepares them and puts them online at www.games-cologne.de. “Some sports like the swimmers have their own webpage with result service. They put the results online themselves and just inform us” says Zeisberger. Others provide pdf documents, which he just has to place online. When he´s receiving an excel table, that means more work for Zeisberger. “At the bodybuilding competition we were even on-site to pick up handwritten papers. We put these notes in a file form to upload on our website.” Not everything runs smooth due to the amount of results – some faults are provided but no wonder at the massive number of results we have to process. Nevertheless, Zeisberger is proud: “As far as I know, here in Cologne it´s the first time at the Gay Games that an up-to-date result service is provided”, he says. In the past it often took like a week to see the final results online.”

Cologne meets America

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:08:43 +0200

The great gala concert of the VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010 attracted on Thursday evening (5th of august) more than 800 people into the university of music and dance in Cologne.

Together with hundreds of musicians and singers the enthusiastic audience turned into an impressive scenery at this cultural highlight of the Gay Games Cologne.

A delegation of the “Rosa Funken”, who were already known to the international guests from the Village at the Neumarkt, opened the concert as flight attendants by introducing the audience to the “security procedures”. The atmosphere was thrilled by the professional performance from “Cheers San Francisco”, the gold-medal winners of the Gay Games Cheerleading Competition.

Under direction from Sten Kuth, Malte Fuhrer and humorous Helena Marion Scholz presented a wonderful program, that could be described best as “Cologne meets America”.

“Stimmfusion Köln”, a joint venture from the nine gay- lesbian choirs in Cologne with more than 100 voices, started with “Colonia Chorale”, a newly texted “Candide” from Leonhard Bernstein, arranged by Steve Nobles.

Nobles did arranged as well to an extended part the coordination of the international musicians. Followed by the Beach Boys “Good Vibrations”, as well as by “Junimond” from Rio-Reiser; and a German text about the Gay Games 2010 was set to the music of “Rum and Coca Cola”.

The specifically for the Gay Games Cologne set orchestra with musicians from the Rainbow Symphony orchestra Paris and Cologne started their presentation with “moon river” from Henry Mancinis. The Festival Choir, initiated for the Gay Games as well, sang the “prisoners choir” from Verdis “Nabucco”. His way right through ear and heart made “Heimweh noh Kölle”, a cologne classic from Ostermann; and the title “something inside so strong”.

Festival choir and “Stimmfusion” presented afterwards, arranged from Steve Nobles, “Somewhere”-Medley’s songs “Somwhere Out There” and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. As soloists enchanted mezzo-soprano Elena Knapp, who is known already from the opening ceremony, as well as Dennis LeGree. Both are well renowned within the opera- and musical scene. Closure of the first part of the concert was the captivating “the Voice Inside” from Graham Bushnell (lyrics) and John Dawkins (music).

After the break had “Team Band” their great entry. The US-American brass- orchestra, was founded at the occasion of the first Gay Games in the 1980th and is ever since involved in the shaping of the Gay Games. Conductor Nolen Dresden described the contribution of his “symphonic band” with “unbounded rhythms, world Music of Life, Love and Dance”. The swaying beginning was made by the overture of “the bat” from Johann Strauss. With the “Dance of the New World” from Dana Wilson numerous percussionists found their entry with their equal numerous pulsatile instruments.

Songs like “Second Suite in F for Military Band” from Gustav Holst performed by “Team Band” was rather for American ears. Though the international audience was amazed by these amateur musicians nonetheless.

After a humorous intermezzo in-between of the resurrected Cologne Profile Trude Herr alias Sophie Russel, “Team Band” played a Medley with Hits from the cologne based band “Black Fööß”. The audience from the Rhineland followed tuned in.

The great final, including all singers, presented another original high cathedral hymn of cologne “Do bess die Stadt”. The hundreds of performers received standing ovations from the Gay Games cultural audience. Among those was Professor Georg Quander, cultural attaché of the city of cologne.

Having performed almost four hours, every singer of the evening’s performance thanked the audience with a joined “Thank You For The Music” from Abba. The gesture was returned by all spectators.

More photos can be found at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

"This cemetery is a history book"

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:54:23 +0200

On this shiny Friday morning about 20 participants got together in front of entrance to the Melaten cemetery with the object to use a bit different cultural offer of the Gay Games: two hours guided tour of the 200 year-old cemetery organized by Cologne Women History Federation.

Irene Franken, historian and tour guide, guided the interested man and women through the cemetery history. Famous and unknown women from Cologne, who are resting in pompous or unimpressive graves, were the central point of the tour. Beside benefactress Laura Oelbermann also Maria Clementine Martin found here her last rest. The businesswoman established under her own power a company and a meanwhile worldwide known product: Klosterfrau Melissengeist.

The listener learned about the role of women in the earlier centuries and about the pre-history of the cemetery. Anne from Basel found out at random about the tour: “I just wanted to make a guided city tour and get to know Cologne. I heard from the Gay Games in my hostel”. Since then Anne uses a lot of Fans and Friends offers and combine them with her city trip.

More photos can be found at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

Multicultural teamwork at the Regatta Sailing

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:44:45 +0200

The essential meaning of the teamwork clearly surfaces during the sailing competition. The participants, divided in beginner and advancer division, compete in valk boats with 3 persons on board. Even the team constellation is worth mentioning.

For example the team “A.S.S” consists of members from three different continents. They come from Europe(Amsterdam), Australia(Sydney) and USA (Seattle) to start together at the VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010. They are connected especially through the love to sailing. Their different backgrounds concerning culture and sailing induce the exchange of experience and union them as a team. There is a wild and polite atmosphere; decisions are made together like an agreement about British commando.

Team „Liberty“ has a similar approach. Its members come from Netherlands, Island and the USA. Very fast they agreed on an original mix of sailing commandos of different languages. “Teamwork is important and decisions should be made democratically especially concerning controllling a boat” says the team skipper. Every participants came as a single sportsman, they found each other at the competition place and now grown together as a team.

The amount of male and female athletes is very balanced. The Team “Liberty” starts with one man ant two women.

The sailing competition is the unique kind of sport, which do not take place in Cologne but in the Dutch Roermond on the Maas – Lakes. The VIII. Gay Games was financially supported by the city Roermond and therefore made possible the sailing as a discipline. The regatta is hold with a support of the Sailing Clubs Maas en Roer.

More photos can be found at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

Secret recipe Sushi

fepf — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:29:26 +0200

The joy was really written in his face. Rob Smitherman, basketballplayer of the Sisters of Sushi, short SOS, and his team managed for the first time to defeat Team Shock of the USA. Thursday afternoon was the perfect time for the victory as it secured the entry into the finals in the category Men´s recreational for the Sisters of Sushi. “It´s the first time that we made it to the finals in the Gay Games” Smitherman said after the victory. “We especially showed a strong defense.”

The very fact of the height of the players of the SOS team got them a big advantage towards the partly smaller Shock players. Despite this disadvantage, Team Shock showed some strong attacks in the first half. But in the end it turned out to be a clear victory for Smitherman and his colleagues with 78:37 against the Shock team.

This success has to be highlighted especially due to the fact that the Sisters of Sushi only play together at tournaments, but never train together. “We are good friends but are living all in different cities all over the USA. It happens often, that players of gay basketball teams come from different cities, “says Smitherman. The creative name isn´t just an imagination. After their last game they always go out to eat Sushi together, that´s a tradition.

The victory of the team SOS is also a little success for Cologne. Since January, Rob Smitherman is in Cologne to support the Team Cologne in organizing the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010. So he not only transferred his working place but also trained together with the basketball players from the SC Janus. “It was a lot of fun to play with the players of SC Janus. Basketball in Europe is a little bit different than in the USA, but we had a great time together” said Smitherman.

After the semi-finals of the Men`s Recreational League the crème de la crème of basketball entered the field. The US Americans RockDogs challenged the E2B Boys 2 from France in the category Men`s Open and won sovereign with 75:30.

More photos can be found at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

A lot of space left on the Cologne Memorial Quilt

gast — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:59:42 +0200

Somewhat hidden you find hanging in the sheltered inner courtyard of colognes city hall the Memorial Quilts of the Gay Games from among others Amsterdam and San Francisco. From the outside, nothing indicates that here can be signed the perhaps most important memento from the Gay Games Cologne. Nonetheless numerous participants, visitors or friends of the Games did find the way hither. On the ground in front of the quilt, or besides it, pens are provided with which you can sign on the fabric. Colognes lord mayor Jürgen Roters did sign it already, and numerous visitors remember with their signature and a few caring words their deceased friends.

Tony Waddell, founder of the Gay Games, initiated in 1997 the International Games-Memorial Quilt Project. The memorial fabrics are symbol for eternity and strength of homosexuals and transgender alike worldwide. In Cologne Aidshilfe is involved in the exhibition. Until Sunday Visitors have the possibility to sign the Memorial Quilt for Cologne.

More photos can be fount at http://www.qubesport.net/photos

Against the rules

gast — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:28:20 +0200

Junko Saeki teaches usually at the university of Doshisha in Kyoto, Japan. Though she is right now in Berlin for one year. There she recites about female Japanese writers. Her main subject in research is women- and gender research. Gender Studies with main focus on Japan. Junko Saeki was last week working in Cologne. There she noticed the posters for the Gay Games. Therefore she returned to Cologne this week once more, where she attended the tournaments in figure skating and swimming. As well she visits the exhibition “Against the rules”.”Gegen die Regeln”, im Deutschen Sport und Olympia Museum (DSOM).

The wandering exhibition of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation is presented by the Akzeptanzkampagnenbüro (office for acceptance) of the ministry for youth, family and health of Northrhine-Westfalias government. The Gay- Lesbian sport club SC Janus, who is holding the Gay Games in Cologne and the center for gay history in Cologne are involved as well.

On promoting walls the histories about certain athletes are told. Well known is Martina Navratilova, who led the female tennis ranking list for a long time. Although many other athletes are presented,
So is Greg Louganis (diving), or Judith Arndt (cycling). Highlight of the exhibition: “We are showing the jacket of the Gay Games founder Tom Waddell, that he wore 1968 in his decathlon”, tells Jens Hünefeld, scientific volunteer at museum, who is responsible for the exhibition in Cologne.

Aim of the Exhibition: To de-taboo homosexuality within sports and to point out the discrimination of sexual minorities. “Gegen die Regeln” (against the rules) can be visited in Cologne until Sunday.

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“The next turn in the direction of the Cathedral”

gast — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:02:49 +0200

“Pilates makes you happy” it says on the orange T-shirt of Frank Feltgen. And when you look at his beaming face, you immediately believe that. Feltgen has been taking Pilates courses for five years, including in Cologne’s gay and lesbian sports club SC Janus, which is organising the Gay Games VIII 2010 in Cologne. Because of this, he is offering a total of four days of Pilates in the schedule of the Games - on the roof of the German Sport and Olympic Museum when the weather permits! “The atmosphere is great there”, he says. “It’s so good to be able to say ‘Please turn to the Cathedral’”.

His participants are a diverse mix: “Yesterday there was a Turkish and Swiss man there”, he explained. Today the oldest participant is 72 years old. Two younger sportswomen, Andrea Pfennig and Caro Esser, came because their Pilates teacher at the gym recommended the course, its teacher and the location to them. And the view from the flat-roofed building genuinely impresses all of them: You can see the spires of the Cathedral, the grey Rhine sweeps past, and the din of the road also fits in there somewhere – but can also be blanked out well so that it’s not noticeable.

The museum itself is also pleased about those enjoying the Pilates: “Sporting activities in our building are our favourites”, says Britta Kern, Chief of Communication and Marketing at the museum. “Thematically it just fits really well”. Therefore we were pleased to have been spoken to early-on by the organisers of the Cologne Gay Games. Because of this, also available alongside the Pilates and Yoga courses in the museum is the exhibition “Against the rules”. The chess tournaments of the Games were also played in the museum on the Rhine.

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The missing dances

fepf — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:41:04 +0200

What I’ve seen in the ballroom of the Hotel Maritim yesterday, gave me a back flash back to my own youth. A time where we had to stand up in the world, that let me remind about all dances that we homosexuals couldn’t enjoy with the partner of our choice. If you are a boy, you would have to dance with a girl. Pair dance had been portrayed romantically since all thinkable time. And it was forbidden in many cases to dance it by homosexuals. Watching two women or two men dancing and showing each other deep into the eyes, smiling, makes this competition that beautiful. It was a spectacular event, that was enjoyed by the audience with great enthusiasm. Dancing is a sport that combines both technique and heart. This evening I’d love to dance with my boyfriend. And I am asking myself: “What happened to the absented dances?”

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Sunny Greetings in the Olympic Museum

fepf — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:27:16 +0200

“Over the last few days, my course has been very internationally occupied”, says Christian Bröcher, who has worked as a yoga teachers for eight years. The British have already been, as have the Americans, Dutch, Finns and, of course, the Germans. On average so far 15 participants have come each day, to start the day, in good weather, by greeting the sun on the roof of the German Sport and Olympic Museum. “If it’s too cold for the participants, we stay inside”, says Bröcher. His units are clearly structured. “We begin with a meditation and a breathing exercise, and then come to the actual ‘Asanas’, the exercises, and finish the course with a final relaxation”. Bröcher combines ‘Hatha’ and ‘Asthanga’ yoga in his courses.

Jens Hünefeld approves of this mixture. He currently works as a voluntary scientist at the museum and is looking after the “Against the rules” exhibition, which can be seen throughout the duration of the Gay Games. On Monday and Tuesday, Hünefeld participated on the course because, “I really like Yoga”, he says, “And I think Christian leads the course very well”. That may be because Bröcher has already been doing yoga for 15 years. In addition, he also gives lessons in Cologne’s gay and lesbian sports club SC Janus. That is how he came to offer his classes as part of the Cologne Gay Games schedule. Those who still think yoga isn’t physically challenging enough, that all you do is lie on the floor, meditate and breathe, is mistaken: “I’ve picked up a bit of muscle ache today!”, confesses Jens Hünefeld.

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Field Hockey

fepf — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:24:20 +0200

´Since Monday the hockey sportsmen and sportswomen are shooting on the artificial turf for the goal and are pleased being part of it. The teams are coming from England, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia. The “Royal Girls” (England), the “Dutch Hockey Divas” and the “Charme on tour” (Germany) are representing the three participating women teams. Five male teams competed, two from England, two from the Netherlands and one from Australia.

In addition, mixed games are taking place, with those special impulses and new strategic challenges. Despite or maybe just because of the smaller team lineup compared to the bigger and more popular sport events the athletes competed with all their heart. The athletes paid just as much attention to the competition as to fun and social aspects. Something that was clearly mirrored by the excellent atmosphere. However, Petra Nijenhuis, for about 5 years with “Dutch Hockey Divas”, and Denise Lenferink, for about two years with the team, having won the silver medal with her team at last year’s Copenhagen OutGames intends to carry the gold medal to the Netherlands tomorrow after having won the finale. England thereby is reckoned strong rival.

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Pool-Billards

fepf — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:39:36 +0200

The competition at the Cue Club Cologne in Cologne – Riehl went with high concentration. It is quite and silent at this kind of sport. Enjoying international famous reputation, pool-billards stands in Germany rather in the shadows. That however, no one notices in the Nordic Cologne. The Germans enter with a strong team, and they left the competition not without result.

Besides the Germans, Americans were presented strongest. Though there were participants from the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and several other European nations as well.

The competitions were played in the 8-Ball and 9-Ball Game for respective men and women, and this in two categories: competitive (competition level) and recreational (hobby level). Additionally there is a mixed group, where men and women participated together.

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Sport Climbing

fepf — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:07:49 +0200

At the first day of competition about 120 spectators summoned to encourage the climbers. Frank Bläser, who runs in cooperation with Gregor Jaeger ”die Kletterfabrik” (climbing factory) was enchanted by the atmosphere among the audience. “That was highly motivating for us”, tells a participant. “Die Kletterfabrik is an amazing Arena for such a competition”, adds the 23 years old woman.

The 40 participants had to deal with the extra mounted climbing routs. However a giant block, called Boulder, has been climbed partly with Head down under. Particularly successful had been the US-Americans. Though even local matador Eva Wiegand succeeded to ensure her ranking. As well as the last minute participant from Denmark, who took home two medals right away.

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Sport Shooting

fepf — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:57:15 +0200

Sunshine, the Barbeque grill is lit, homemade salads and cakes are prepared. Sport Shooting at the St. Hubertus Schützenbrüderschaft, a shooting club in Cologne- Bickendorf. ”As they asked in the sport council of the city, who wants to hold the Shooting Competition for the Gay Games, we applied naturally”, says Paul Hastrich.

Justifiably. The sportsmen and sportswoman praise the venue, particularly! “Amazing, fantastic, excellent competition venue”, so Charles Francis from Team Alaska, USA. He participated the second time the Gay Games. The first time though as sport shooter. We have to thank the organizers from Cologne, for making this possible at all. They introduced the Sport Shooting tournament to the Gay Games for the first time. “We are pioneers”, says Ludger Elmendorf from the Board of SC Janus, who is participant himself.

Paul Hastrich adds ”the atmosphere is amazing and we never had such a big audience for a Shooting competition, and he has a high level”.

“It stimulated me, to participate at an international competition without qualifying ahead of it. That excludes the pressure and I simply have a lot of fun in my sport”, states Christiane Thuir enthusiastically. She is the North-Rhine-Westphalia Champion, and usually member of the shooting club Bon-Duisdorf. Her employer, the federal police, gave her the respective days off, even though this is not an official competition. This is due the open attitude of her employer. “This way I can meet interesting people, have fun and it is indeed a tournament of high quality. I am glad to be part of it!” is the résumé of Christiane Thuir, who aims on a silver medal in the solo competition.

In the team competition she entered with Ludger Elmendorf and Charles Francis. Bonn-Cologne-Alaska, that is possible at the Gay Games exclusively

Handball

fepf — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:44:09 +0200

Those visiting the VIII. Gay Games 2010 in Cologne will not only experience cultural insights; they will experience sportive achievements on a high level as well. For some of the audience it is just that, what makes Gay Games so charismatic.

“Cultural events are not my cup of tea, I prefer to watch thrilling sport matches and there Gay Games offers quite a lot”, states Horst H from the audience of the handball matches at the sports university in Cologne. “I am a big handball fan; and I am thrilled by what I’ve seen here. This is a big shoe to fit in even for some members of the Bundesliga. That’s a lot of ambition and passion.”

On the court the match between Pan Copenhagen I. And Raballder Oslo I take place. In contrary to the disembodied character of games like Basketball, Handball is a body lean game. “It looks much tougher as it is” explains H. and points on the court: A player from Pan Copenhagen received a stroke in the face. The game is immediately interrupted; the opponent apologizes and asks after the wellbeing of his counter player. A penalty throw follows anyway.

As reply on the question if he sees the Gay Games as something special, Horst H. just shakes his head: “Everything around is not of special further interest for me, I am here because of the sports. Neither the origin of someone is of any importance to me, nor is his sexual preferences or whatever else. What matters here is sport, there are no such boundaries, what counts is the result for the participant and a good match for the audience. Sports is full of emotion, full of power, passion, short everything that characterizes a human. Sport is glue between humans. You fell that here the same way as you did at the World Championship in Germany 2006. Sometimes I get the impression you can feel this even a bit stronger now compared to way back then. The reason is perhaps, that the Gay Games are something unique.”

On the court occurred an involuntary embrace between two players, that causes a high pitch tone of one of them. Everyone burst out laughing, so does Horst H: “I may correct: Definitively unique!”

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