Countdown to the Cologne Gay Games
"Be Part of It" in Just Two Years!

In less than two years, we will all gather in Cologne for Gay Games VIII. It will be an event to remember, as all the Gay Games have been. In this newsletter, we've included a handy reference grid listing all the sports and cultural events to be staged in Cologne. There's also a great link to download a free, colorful brochure about LGBT life in Cologne and some of the best things about this wonderful city.

The Cologne Gay Games Web site (www.games-cologne.com) should be bookmarked on your computer, since it is constantly being updated with tons of details about these 34 sports and 5 cultural events. Plan to check there on a regular basis for the latest information.

Here's another reason to bookmark the Cologne Web site. This is the place where you'll soon be able to take care of your registration. All the details of the complex registration software are undergoing final testing now, so that you can have a smooth, error-free registration process. Stand by for the exact date when registration will open.

Thousands of participants from around the world will meet in Cologne, Germany, from July 31 to August 7, 2010, for Gay Games VIII. As many as 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries will take join more than 46,000 guests for the Opening Ceremony at the RheinEnergie Stadium in Cologne, home of the famous Cologne Soccer Club.

SPORT: These are the 34 sport disciplines...

More than 40% of the 34 sports disciplines will take place at Cologne’s famous 135-acre Müngersdorfer Sportpark, the site of the German Sports University, with all other sports (except sailing) occurring within 20 minutes of the centre of Cologne.

CULTURE: These are the main events of the Cultural Festival...

COLOGNE LGBT TOURISM:

Cologne has been known as one of the most gay-friendly cities of Europe for years. It is a very welcoming city where Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people have fun every day and night. Cologne Tourism has a special booklet created just for the LGBT community visiting Cologne. It contains both German and English text. You will receive an updated printed version in your welcome bag when you arrive in Cologne in 2010, but you can get one now. Click here to download the current Cologne Tourism for Gay and Lesbian Travelers booklet called "Out in Cologne." The file is a 3MB PDF.