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Opportunities for seniors plentiful in Gay Games VII
In its mission to encourage inclusion and participation, the Gay Games have a tradition of offering age categories not available in most mainstream sanctioned sports.
"Seniors have made a huge contribution to the Gay Movement," said 59-year-old Peg Grey, FGG Senior Outreach spokesperson, who has participated in an aspect of each Gay Games since their inception in 1982. "This campaign is to acknowledge their contributions and to encourage their participation in appropriate senior age categories. It is also an invitation to seniors who have not participated in the Gay Games before to share the joy of the event." Many senior sports events are targeted at elite athletes, but the Gay Games encourages people of all ages and ability levels to participate and pursue their personal best. There is an ancillary arts festival and a variety of social events in addition to the sports activities. Seniors are also encouraged to get involved as spectators, volunteers, medics, officials, artists and coaches and to take advantage of the early registration discounts available until Dec. 31. Visit www.GayGamesChicago.org, email info@GayGamesChicago.org, or phone in the United States 1.773.907.2006. Even if you are a senior and can't make it to Chicago, there are other ways to contribute, such as helping with a local gay sports group or to become a donor to the Gay Games movement. The Gay Games Sponsorship Program allows financially disadvantaged seniors and others to receive funds to assist them to attend the Games. It also provides a method for those who have spare funds to contribute to individuals and teams that would not normally be able to afford to participate. To contribute to the FGG Sponsorship Program, please visit: https://www.host15.4ua.com/gaygames/federation/donate.php. |
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Gay Games lifter wins silver medal in world championships
First, the 31-year-old 165-pounder was featured in a full page story in the Nov. 23 issue of the Advocate. Then he lifted 237.5 kilos in the squat (a personal best), 112.5 kilos in the bench and 242.5 kilos in the deadlift for a 592.5 kilo total and the silver medal in the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Finals in Atlanta, Georgia.
Chris got his competitive start with a silver at Gay Games V in Amsterdam and followed that up with a gold in Sydney in 2002. "Not a bad result in tough circumstances away from home," he said after the Atlanta competiton. "I want to thank all the people that have offered and shown support over the years."
The 2006 competition will offer medals in men's and women's divisions age and weight divisions, and will allow competitors the option of competing in single events (dead lift, squat and bench press) as well as for the overall medals. Information about the 2006 powerlifting competition for the Chicago Gay Games, to be held in Northwestern's Welsh Ryan Arena, can be found on the Chicago website.
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Philadelphia story
Team Philadelphia hosted a Dec. 1 Early Registration Party for Chicago Gay Games VII at the William Way Community Center in downtown Philadelphia.
"We were very pleased with the turnout and how smoothly the event went," said Adelina Santiago, spokesperson for Team Philadelphia. "In addition to the six computers on hand at the center, our public relations and direct email campaigns promoting the event helped remind those who could not attend to take part by registering at home or at work before the early registration deadline passes."
Team Philadelphia also reaffirmed its support for Gay Games VII with the following statement: "We applaud the momentum and accomplishments of both the Federation of Gay Games and Chicago 2006 over the past year.We look forward to every moment of Gay Games VII, from the march into Soldier Field for Opening Ceremonies, to the participation in the events of these Games, to the final walk in to Wrigley Field for Closing Ceremonies. Team Philadelphia is proud to give our full support to Chicago 2006 and the Federation of Gay Games."
Team Philadelphia is one of 21 sports and cultural organizations so far to sign on as an official Gay Games Partner. (See press release for information on the program.)
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Making history
The achievements of San Francisco Bay Area
athletes as well as the birth and initial growth of the Gay Games movement will highlght a planned exhibition by the GLBT Historical Society in 2005.
Currently the Society is soliciting LGBT sports memorabilia from Bay Area residents to donate or offer the "Sporting Life" exhibit on loan. The exhibit is tentatively scheduled to run from March through September of 2005, possibly longer.
" 'Sporting Life' will increase visibility — and respect — for GLBT sports
in general," said guest curator Jim Provenzano. "We think this could be a fantastic way for teams and leagues to work toward their own goals to build community, affirm GLBT people, and create bridges with the broader public. It will also create great recruitment and networking opportunities for teams and leagues. With visibility of media coverage, and visitors, each team/league will be
invited to hold onsite open houses at the GLBT Historical Society throughout next spring and summer."
The Society is seeking participation from former Bay Area residents, people elsewhere who may have
documentation of Bay Area athletes, and people from the surrounding North, South and East Bay areas. Loan or donor forms will be sent to interested participants. Those interested in assisting the Historical Society with corporate funding or in-kind services for this exhibit may email Don Romeburg or Anne Ludwig.
For more information, download PDF file.
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For the 2006 Games in Chicago, that outreach will be taken a step further. Age categories for seniors 50 years and older were added in such sports as basketball, wrestling, volleyball and slow-pitch softball. This is in addition to the many sports which already have older age categories, including aquatics, cycling, figure skating, physique, powerlifting, racquetball, road racing, tennis, triathlon, and track and field. Plus there are other sports suitable for seniors such as golf and bowling.
November proved to be a big month for Gay Games powerlifter Chris Morgan of London.
Scores of athletes and artists from throughout the Delaware Valley came by to learn about this historic event, ask questions, and ultimately secure their place in the 2006 Gay Games by taking advantage of the 30 percent discount afforded by early registration, which is still open through Dec. 31, 2004. Local guest speakers and Federation of Gay Games Co-President Kathleen Webster were on hand to greet the crowd and answer questions about the world-class sport and cultural events planned for the seventh quadrennial Gay Games in 2006.