VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

Despite all his commitments as Co-President of the Gay Games Cologne, Michael Lohaus insisted on participating in the competition of the VII. Gay Games Cologne as an athlete as well. With success: Together with his team colleagues Christian Strauch, Matthias Hugo and Steffen Kriedel, he swam to the bronze medal in the 4x50 m freestyle relay. Although Michael Lohaus fell behind in his training program due to the preparations of the Gay Games, he was able to pull off the stunt to have the best time of his team, the “Rheinperlen” (“Rhine pearls”) from the SC Janus sports club.

The “Rheinperlen” did already receive silver and gold medals on Sunday and Monday, in the women’s as in the men’s competitions. On Sunday, 51 year old swimmer Gudrun Jährig won the 200m individual medley, so far the only gold medal for the “Rheinperlen”. She had already won a gold medal in the 2002 Gay Games in Sydney.

The medals were not the only reason for team captain Karl Waldhecker to rejoice: “We are very lucky with the weather, which is really important for an open air competition.” The international atmosphere of the Gay Games is fascinating him and his team members. It’s easy to find teams from Iceland, Germany or the United Stated assembled around the pool enjoying the competitions.

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