VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

It was a rather unusual style of running that the 5000 meter runner and winner of the age group 35 to 39, Stefan Colaes, presented at the Netcologne stadium. For a long time it looked as though he would have no chance against the Australian Malcolm Campbell with his rather jerky style of running. Campbell not only ran substantially more calmly and cleanly but also completed the first 200 meters in a very quick time.  After the 5th round, however, the Belgian Stefan Colaes did manage to overtake his rival competitor and secure himself the gold medal. It was only in the last 100 meters that he thought he might have done enough to secure victory. “I knew that I had to work hard to widen the gap between Malcolm and me enough to get first place”, said Stefan Colaes, who, with his victory, won the first gold medal for Belgium in athletics.

If you ask Colaes about his ‘stamping’ style of running, even he smiles. “My coach could not correct my running style and it’s also too late for that now. I also normally run rather longer distances where it isn’t as bad”.

The runner had already suspected he might have a chance of winning a medal, but that he got gold was nevertheless a surprise. “I don’t run the 5000 meters course often. After the first round I also thought that it would be difficult to win the gold.” Instead of trying to adapt to the fast speed of the Australian, Colaes decided to run at his own speed, a tactic that worked in the end.

A further highlight of the 5000 meter competition was the gold and silver medal winners of the age group 40 to 44. Ever since the Gay Games in Sydney, the Australian Stuart Kollmorgen and the New Zealander David Matulovich have been meeting one another on a regular basis to run exciting duels in the fight for gold medals. In a tight race, David Matulovich was able to succeed against his rival from Australia and win the gold medal for New Zealand. The two will meet again in another duel for the 3000 meter race. There the Australian will surely give everything to catch up in the fight for gold medals.

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