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WRESTLERS WITHOUT BORDERS NEWSLETTER
Volume 3, 3rd Quarter 2001 - Oct. 31 2001
FEDERATION OF GAY GAMES CHOOSES MONTREAL FOR THE GAY GAMES VII IN 2006
October 25th, 2001 - Johannesburg, South Africa
It has been decided. After reviewing worthy proposals from Atlanta,
Chicago, Los Angeles and Montreal the Federation of Gay Games selected
Montreal as the host city for Gay Games VII in 2006. Many Delegates and
Directors continued to weigh the decision well into the meeting as
updated financial statements were provided as recently as that week.
The final annoucement was delivered to the press by the lovely
Kekoletsa, the youngest director in the 20 year history of the Gay Games
and representative of Team Johannesburg (TOGS). A short video of the
announcement was web cast on the Federation's web site that day and the
press release was reprinted through numerous other sports sites and
publications.
Wrestling will be held at Centre Claude-Robillard, originally built for
the 1976 Summer Olympics. The centre is only a few kilometers from the
athletes village, "Rendez-vous Square" on the Saint Laurence waterfront,
and all venues are located within a convenient 5 mile radius, accessible
via Metro rail. The Montreal host organization promises to provide
participants with the opportunity for hosted housing. Proposed
registration fees are set for $125 CAD (base fee) plus $50 CAD per sport
($85 + $35 USD respectively). One other notable development; the Prime
Ministers of both Quebec and Ottawa, as well as the Mayor of Montreal,
are publicly endorsing the 2006 Gay Games.
WHY SOUTH AFRICA?
Although no move has specifically been made to host a Gay Games event in
South Africa, it is a fundamental part of the mission of the Gay Games
to reach out to people in areas of the world where the rights of gay,
lesbian and transgendered people are not widely recognized. In spite of
the recent attack on the US, Federation members decided to forge ahead
and hold the meeting as planned. In addition to the annual meeting
business itself, members from various Federation committees participate
in a variety of other important activities to raise positive gay
visibility, this time including a visit to a local AIDS clinic, a
women's workshop, and an outreach workshop devoted to forming and
managing teams.
GAY GAMES VI EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES
Discounted fees for early registration ended on October 31st. However,
you can still register at the Sydney 2002 web site at
http://www.sydney2002.org.au until July 2002 for $195 USD (slightly more
if registering for more than one event). If you are planning to be in
Sydney for the Games it is strongly suggested that you reserve
accomodations as soon as you have made your commitment.
Rick and Mike Z. went on after the meeting to hike Kilamanjaro, having
seen some of the area, I envy them. Good thing they had a week in
Johannesburg to acclimate to the altitude. J'burg is about 6000 ft and I
really felt it when I went to the gym there. Gene Dermody and I spent
the afternoon strolling through an outdoor market looking for souvenirs,
I found some nice Cuban cigars and a neat little thumb piano. For
myself, I hope I'll be back, I have friends here now. I'd like to see
the coast next time, Beach Boys Endless Summer and all that. One VERY
noteworthy observation. Guys here are small and quite handsome, lots of
130 pounders. Sweet.
Erich Richter
Chairman: Wrestlers Without Borders
Delegate: Federation of Gay Games
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