VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

The “International Rainbow Memorial Run” is held around the world to honor the victims of AIDS and breast cancer. The run also commemorates the founder of the Gay Games, Dr. Tom Waddell, lesbian activist Rikki Streicher, and artist Keith Haring.

The “Rainbow Run” has been held every four years since 1986.  For example, in 2006, the Run visited Cape Town, Sydney, New York, San Francisco and Chicago in addition to Cologne

A special rainbow flag travels from continent to continent and is carried through the streets of the participating cities. The Cologne team, for example, chose to carry the flag through the heart of the old town center, including a stop at the Monument for the Gay and Lesbian Victims of National-Socialism. Following a moment of silence, the runners were off again, flag in hand. The route took them along the River Rhine, through town and past the Cathedral, then back across to the river to their starting point in Deutz

In the run-up to Gay Games VIII, the International Rainbow Memorial Run will visit all former Gay Games host cities in the first half of 2010. The climax of the event will be the arrival of the rainbow flag at the opening ceremonies in Cologne.