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Eurogames (Zurich, Swizterland) June 1 - 4, 2000
From
gay athletics to festivals
From June 1st through the 4th, more than 4,000 gay and lesbian
athletes are expected to gather in Zurich, Switzerland to
participate in one of the world's largest multi-sporting events of
the year, EuroGames 2000. These games, which are sponsored by the
European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), have been a
fixture to gay athletes since 1992 when the first games were held in
Den Haag and continued over the years in Berlin, Frankfurt,
Hannover, and Paris.
These games are open to everyone who wants to participate,
regardless of their gender, age, race, or sexual preference, first
choice for involvement is given to European athletes. The spirit of
the games encourages equal representation for all. Half of the game
slots have been reserved for women. In addition, people with special
needs (such as the deaf/hearing impaired, blind/sight impaired,
wheelchair users, or those on medications including people living
with HIV/AIDS, etc.) are participating in certain events such as
ballroom dancing, basketball, hand bikes, marathon, martial arts and
tennis. "As a minority group, we want to give a clear signal
that we do not discriminate against other marginalized groups. In
fact, we want to show openness, the same kind of openness we expect
from others." say Cristina M. Vuilleumier and Brigitte V.
Audenblatten of the Special Needs Committee.
Sports events include just about every type of sport imaginable -
all the way from aerobics (team) to volleyball.
The competitions will take place in different sporting grounds as
well as in public in the inner city. Visibility and integration are
important themes and, as such, an inline skating race through the
streets of downtown
Zurich is being planned.
In addition to the sporting events, athletes and visitors will be
able to attend parties, performances and exhibitions, including
special events for women and lesbians, and active support is being
encouraged to "Walk for Life".
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The
parties after the competition
The city of Zurich, which has been called a "little big gay
city," joins with Eurogames to offer gay athlete tourists an
assortment of shops, bars, saunas, parties, special events, and
organizations (such as Gay Sport Zurich). The local gay and lesbian
community stands behind the EuroGames 2000 and is eager to offer its
participants a great party once the sport competitions are over.
At Helvetiaplatz, there will be one showground for the EuroGames,
featuring three party locations (one of which will be for women)
along with a centrally located Rainbow Square information center,
meeting point, food and beverage stands, fairground of the gay and
lesbian community, and cultural events. Satellite parties to satisfy
every taste (with themes such as "show,"
"beach," "bubble bath," "leather")
will be organized at gay establishments throughout the city.
Other parties include a warm-up party the evening before the games
begin(Wednesday, May 31), start-up and opening parties on Thursday,
June 1; semi-finals and finals parties for women on June 2 and 3;
and a cool-down closing party on June 4. (You can get more
information by contacting the
Party Committee at party@eurogames.ch)
Whether you're a participant or just viewing the games from the
sidelines, this event promises to be an unforgettable time for all.
And for those interested in planning for the future, EuroGames 2001
will be hosted in Hannover and in Sydney, Australia in 2002.
EuroGames 2000
Zurich, Switzerland
From June 1st through the 4th
Official site:
http://www.eurogames.ch (defunct)
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writings contents
Copyright © 2000 by Michael Walker
Michael Walker is a freelance writer in Washington, DC. He is also the founder
and proprietor of
DREAMWalker Group.
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