VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

Dates of Event
Monday, 2 August: Novice Workshop, Weigh-In
Tuesday, 3 August: Competition
 

Venue
Sporthalle Bergischer Ring, Bergischer Ring 40, 51063 Cologne-Muelheim (5.6 km from Neumarkt) 

Transportation
Take tram 4 (direction Leverkusen-Schlebusch) or 18 (direction Köln-Thielenbruch) to station "Wiener Platz" (18 mins. from Neumarkt, then 5 mins. on foot).

for more detailed directions click here.

Categories and Divisions of Competition
It will be a freestyle wrestling tournament. As has been done in all past Gay Games wrestling, the tournament directors and pairing officials reserve the right to collapse and divide weight divisions to accommodate the reality of registrations. This is done in order to ensure the integrity of the tournament, the safety of the participants and the ‘Mission’ of the Gay Games.  

In the cases of collapsed weight classes, medals in the published official weight classes will be awarded.

The weight class pairings will be done in conjunction by Wrestlers Without Borders officials and according to WWB standards, www.wrestlerswob.com. Those standards value safety, inclusion, participation, and personal best over ‘absolute best’.

• Separate competitions for men and women
• Three age divisions: Open (18-35 years old), Masters (36-49) and Veterans (50 and older)
• The following weight classes are offered in every age and both gender divisions:
  48 kg (up to and including 48 kilograms)
  52 kg (more than 48 kilos up to and including 52 kilos)
  57 kg (more than 52 kilos up to and including 57 kilos)
  62 kg (more than 57 kilos up to and including 62 kilos)
  68 kg (more than 62 kilos up to and including 68 kilos)
  74 kg (more than 68 kilos up to and including 74 kilos)
  82 kg (more than 74 kilos up to and including 82 kilos)
  90 kg (more than 82 kilos up to and including 90 kilos)
  100 kg (more than 90 kilos up to and including 100 kilos)
  130 kg (more than 100 kilos up to and including 130 kilos)

Participation
Participants age 36-49 (Masters) may choose to compete in the Open division. Likewise, participants 50 and older (Veterans) may choose to compete within the Masters division. However, all participants may only compete within one gender category, in one age division, and in one weight category.  

Exhibition matches are scheduled last, at the discretion of the officials, if it is deemed legally safe, and if there is enough time. Athletes must meet at least one of the following qualifications:

• proof of membership in the world federation (FILA) through a valid current license
• proof of membership in a national, FILA-affiliated, organization through a valid current license
• Any and all required documents must be submitted prior to weigh-in.

Any and all required documents must be submitted before the weigh-in (instructions will follow later). They must also be presented for confirmation at the time of weigh-in
The necessary licenses may also be obtained before the start of the Gay Games through the FILA website.  Please visit www.fila-wrestling.com for more information.

Disabled athletes welcome to compete. However, the use of prostheses is not allowed during competition.

Rules
The wrestling matches will be played according to the rules of the Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (FILA) www.fila-wrestling.org and in accordance to Deutscher Ringerbund www.ringen.de (information in German) and in collaboration with Wrestlers Without Borders (WWB) www.wrestlerswob.com.

Equipment
A large number of mats are available at the venue for warm-ups and competition. 

Services  
A wide range of restaurants can be found in the immediate area.

First-Aid
First-aid stations and paramedics will be present.

Tickets
Entrance to tournaments is free for all spectators, subject to space available and security regulations.   

All information subject to change. All rights reserved. Currently valid stipulations and conditions for sports events and tournaments can be found on our website. If you have any questions, please consult our FAQs. If you don't find the answer there, you may contact us using the e-mail function on our website. If you would like to get the newsletters on a regular base, please feel free to sign in for this service here.