The Games Begin
The Games Begin
by Andrew Davis
2006-07-19
Copyright by The Windy City Times
The Gay Games have definitely arrived, and the quadrennial event kicked off with an opening ceremony at Soldier Field on July 15 that was colorful, to say the least. From dazzling choreography to the moving torch-lighting to impressive fireworks, the ceremony had everything anyone wanted—and more.
According to Kevin Boyer, co-vice chair of the Games’ board, approximately 31,000 people attended the event. That figure included the 10,000 athletes from 65 countries who flooded the field in an amazing spectacle. Chicago’s contingent, which numbered at least 1,850 individuals strong according to a banner a volunteer held, appeared last and took several minutes to stream into the stadium.
The program, which was approximately four hours long, was divided into a prologue and four acts: Exclusion, Oppression, Expression and Ignition. The initial segment included actress, singer and soon-to-be talk-show host Megan Mullally introducing Chicago Mayor Richard Daley by saying, “He’s here, he’s not queer—but we’re used to it.”
A who’s who of celebrities in the sports and entertainment arenas appeared during the warm night, including singers Jody Watley, Andy Bell of Erasure and Heather Small; spoken-word artist Staceyann Chin; comedians Margaret Cho, Suzanne Westenhoefer and Kate Clinton; and former pro American football player Dave Kopay, who delivered the oath to the athletes and participants.
One of the many moving moments of the night occurred when the winners of the Tom Waddell Award—named after the founder of the Gay Games—were presented their honors by out former Olympian Greg Louganis and Jessica Waddell Lewinstein, Waddell’s daughter. The award recipients were Lydia la Rivière-Zijdel of Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Derek Liecty of Oakland, Calif.
For Dennis Stephens, an athlete who represents Chicago as part of Spin nightclub’s flag football team, the whole sports and cultural event is about brotherhood, among other things. “What it means to compete is to be able to share camaraderie with people who not only share my lifestyle but also my passion for sports,” he told Windy City Times.
On the flip side, disruptions hardly registered on the meter, as a few scattered protesters aired their grievances. Most people ignored them—although one couple engaged in a long kiss in front of them.
The Heat Is On
Almost everything went swimmingly for the organizers of the Gay Games—until Mother Nature decided to throw a hot curveball.
Daytime temperatures in the 90s and heat indices well into the 100s have caused concern for all associated with the event. Athletes, especially those competing during peak daylight hours, have to be more cautious than usual when it comes to keeping hydrated and gauging their own energy levels.
However, the weather has played havoc with volunteers. During a press briefing on July 16, Gay Games board co-vice chair Kevin Boyer expressed the immediate need for volunteers, citing that some may have withdrawn from the Games because of the excessive heat.
According to Boyer, there were 10 examples of medical transports on Sunday, and three were heat related. As of Monday morning, one of those individuals, a cheerleader, was still at Northwestern Hospital in a stable condition. The cheerleader was taken to the hospital from Millennium Park, where prior to check-in, she became disoriented from the heat. The other two individuals, transported from the lakefront and tennis, have since been released.
On Sunday, the rowing competition in Crystal Lake was delayed for 15 minutes as volunteers made sure proper hydration was available.
Boyer added that there had been some delays in hydration delivery Monday morning, but Gay Games coordinators are “up to speed.”
Boyer said that Gay Games held five hours of meetings Sunday night to address any and all heat concerns, and have asked all athletes and participants via email or text messaging to bring additional hydration and supplies.
“Chicago’s gay and lesbian sports community really stepped up,” he said.
Gay Games is also integrating with the city’s system to have access to cooling centers and additional hydration.
The co-vice chair added that a sport will be delayed if there is insufficient hydration. “The priority is on the health and safety of the athletes.”
“When you have several thousand people competiting at one time, it’s going to be a challenge,” he said.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering should contact Boyer at Kevin.Boyer@gaygameschicago.org or can simply go to the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan.
by Andrew Davis
2006-07-19
Copyright by The Windy City Times
The Gay Games have definitely arrived, and the quadrennial event kicked off with an opening ceremony at Soldier Field on July 15 that was colorful, to say the least. From dazzling choreography to the moving torch-lighting to impressive fireworks, the ceremony had everything anyone wanted—and more.
According to Kevin Boyer, co-vice chair of the Games’ board, approximately 31,000 people attended the event. That figure included the 10,000 athletes from 65 countries who flooded the field in an amazing spectacle. Chicago’s contingent, which numbered at least 1,850 individuals strong according to a banner a volunteer held, appeared last and took several minutes to stream into the stadium.
The program, which was approximately four hours long, was divided into a prologue and four acts: Exclusion, Oppression, Expression and Ignition. The initial segment included actress, singer and soon-to-be talk-show host Megan Mullally introducing Chicago Mayor Richard Daley by saying, “He’s here, he’s not queer—but we’re used to it.”
A who’s who of celebrities in the sports and entertainment arenas appeared during the warm night, including singers Jody Watley, Andy Bell of Erasure and Heather Small; spoken-word artist Staceyann Chin; comedians Margaret Cho, Suzanne Westenhoefer and Kate Clinton; and former pro American football player Dave Kopay, who delivered the oath to the athletes and participants.
One of the many moving moments of the night occurred when the winners of the Tom Waddell Award—named after the founder of the Gay Games—were presented their honors by out former Olympian Greg Louganis and Jessica Waddell Lewinstein, Waddell’s daughter. The award recipients were Lydia la Rivière-Zijdel of Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Derek Liecty of Oakland, Calif.
For Dennis Stephens, an athlete who represents Chicago as part of Spin nightclub’s flag football team, the whole sports and cultural event is about brotherhood, among other things. “What it means to compete is to be able to share camaraderie with people who not only share my lifestyle but also my passion for sports,” he told Windy City Times.
On the flip side, disruptions hardly registered on the meter, as a few scattered protesters aired their grievances. Most people ignored them—although one couple engaged in a long kiss in front of them.
The Heat Is On
Almost everything went swimmingly for the organizers of the Gay Games—until Mother Nature decided to throw a hot curveball.
Daytime temperatures in the 90s and heat indices well into the 100s have caused concern for all associated with the event. Athletes, especially those competing during peak daylight hours, have to be more cautious than usual when it comes to keeping hydrated and gauging their own energy levels.
However, the weather has played havoc with volunteers. During a press briefing on July 16, Gay Games board co-vice chair Kevin Boyer expressed the immediate need for volunteers, citing that some may have withdrawn from the Games because of the excessive heat.
According to Boyer, there were 10 examples of medical transports on Sunday, and three were heat related. As of Monday morning, one of those individuals, a cheerleader, was still at Northwestern Hospital in a stable condition. The cheerleader was taken to the hospital from Millennium Park, where prior to check-in, she became disoriented from the heat. The other two individuals, transported from the lakefront and tennis, have since been released.
On Sunday, the rowing competition in Crystal Lake was delayed for 15 minutes as volunteers made sure proper hydration was available.
Boyer added that there had been some delays in hydration delivery Monday morning, but Gay Games coordinators are “up to speed.”
Boyer said that Gay Games held five hours of meetings Sunday night to address any and all heat concerns, and have asked all athletes and participants via email or text messaging to bring additional hydration and supplies.
“Chicago’s gay and lesbian sports community really stepped up,” he said.
Gay Games is also integrating with the city’s system to have access to cooling centers and additional hydration.
The co-vice chair added that a sport will be delayed if there is insufficient hydration. “The priority is on the health and safety of the athletes.”
“When you have several thousand people competiting at one time, it’s going to be a challenge,” he said.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering should contact Boyer at Kevin.Boyer@gaygameschicago.org or can simply go to the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan.
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