VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

The Gay Games, unlike the Olympic Games, enable people from all walks of life to compete against each other regardless of skill level, age or physical challenge.

The first Gay Games took place in 1982 in San Francisco, bringing together 1,350 athletes from a dozen countries. The Games have been held every four years since in world-class cities. Gay Games VII in Chicago in 2006 attracted 11,500 participants from 70 countries.  The Gay Games are one of the world's largest amateur athletic events.

The Gay Games are the legacy of Dr. Tom Waddell, a decathlon competitor for the U.S. in the 1968 Olympics. Waddell conceived of the Games as an opportunity for gays and lesbians to show the world that their skills and competitive spirit were equal to the rest of humanity. He wanted to promote better understanding through sport.

The Games define winning as achieving one's personal best. Anyone can participate, regardless of ability, age, sexual orientation, race, gender, nationality, political or religious beliefs, ethnic origins, or HIV status. Athletes represent their
cities and not their countries.