VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

He is co-founder of the swimming team of Halegatos, the LGTB sports club Madrid. Joaquín swims 800 and 1.500 m freestyle. His specialties are however 200, 100 and 50 m in butterfly style. José Ospina-Valencia interviewed him during the swimming competition in the outdoor swimming pool stadium in Köln-Müngersdorf.

 

 

Since when does the swimming team of Halegatos exist?

Joaquín: We are working in two teams for 13 years. One is responsible for the infrastructure, so that the others can take part in the competitions.

How did you come to swim in a LGTB-group?

Joaquín: I’ve been swimming since I was eight years old. Until my adolescence I was swimming in various hetero-teams. The proficiency level was really high. My aim was to become an Olympic swimmer. 1997 I discovered in Paris, at the Euro Games, that also gay-lesbian teams achieve very good results. This was a really nice surprise for me.

How did your career as swimmer in a LGTB-team change since?

Joaquín: Since 1997 I’ve been travelling a lot with this team and I have been meeting many people.

At which sport events have you been so far?

Joaquín: I’ve been at the Euro Games in Munich and at the Out Games in Montreal. At the Olympics in Barcelona 1992 I’ve been working as volunteer. There I made a lot of experiences during the six-year lead time. I am a trained sports expert now.

What is your motivation to work in a homosexual sports club?

Joaquín: I would like to make people understand that they should develop more sense of us. Furthermore I would like to achieve, that more people know they can do sports at us and with us. We want to set signs with our sports results. By this we want to become visible. As LGTB people we want to be respected and get recognition.
 

Good luck and all the best!

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