VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

San Francisco – (14 February 2010) 5,300 artists and athletes have already registered at Cologne's sports and cultural festival Gay Games VIII (www.games-cologne.com) and every new day the numbers grow. Now, Australian Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham has announced he will travel to Germany to be part of Cologne's edition of the Gay Games.  Matthew will be making appearances at several events while in Cologne, but won’t be competing in the sports program.

“I’m excited to be part of something so important for our communities around the globe. This event brings lesbian and gay life out on the court, onto the track, and into the pool", Matthew explains. “Being ‘out’ means for me being just as I am with nothing to be ashamed about and no reasons to hide. Participating at the Gay Games is a great chance for all gays and lesbians to show that we as a community are not like the stereotypes the straight media loves to portray. I will take time off from training and travel to Cologne, since I strongly feel we have to celebrate our own values and help others to accept that it is ok to be different.” Matthew will capture his trip to Germany and participation in the Gay Games on his Facebook page, allowing people who can’t be there to follow his personal story of being involved in a life-changing event like the Gay Games.

Emy Ritt and Kurt Dahl, co-presidents of the Federation of Gay Games, are thrilled to have in Matthew Mitcham another top athlete supporting this year’s quadrennial sports and cultural event. “Matthew, one of the most recognised openly gay sports persons of our time, is a fantastic role model, especially for younger people. Matt is only 20 years old. 

 

He is focused and successful in his sport and doesn’t have to hide being gay. This is something that Gay Games founder Dr. Tom Waddell would have been so proud of. After almost 30 years, the Gay Games continues to make lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender life visible through sports and culture, thus allowing new generations to be accepted just as they are.”

German Airline Lufthansa has generously agreed to provide Matthew’s air travel to Germany. Kai Peters, General Manager of Lufthansa Australia: “Lufthansa created an attractive discounted airfare-package for all Gay Games participants from Australia. By flying Matthew to the Gay Games in Germany, Lufthansa wants to give something back to the community, as he represents something no money can buy: Having a fantastic young Australian athlete in Cologne at the Gay Games who fascinated so many of us when he proudly hugged his partner in public and in front of the world’s media after receiving his gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.”
 

Games Cologne and its organizing team are working around the clock to prepare their city to become the global centre of LGBT life for one full week. Annette Wachter, Co-President of organizing team Games Cologne said “Every registered participant is an obligation for us to serve as fantastic hosts and create a lifetime of memories for our guests from all around the globe. But to be honest, having one of the most recognised sports persons like Matthew Mitcham attending is a great acknowledgement of the work we have been doing so far. It motivates us even more to continue our intense work until we declare open the 2010 Gay Games on 31 July.” Philipp Lischke, Australian Representative of Games Cologne added: “We greatly appreciate Matthew’s commitment to suspend his training to be with us in Cologne. I can’t tell you how excited we are to be able to invite others and use the words ‘even Matthew Mitcham is coming!’”