More than 10,000 athletes get a grand Chicago welcome
More than 10,000 athletes get a grand Chicago welcome
By Gary Barlow
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
July 19, 2006
The 7th quadrennial Gay Games kicked off in Soldier Field July 15, with more than 10,000 participants streaming into the lakefront stadium for opening ceremonies.
“We welcome everyone to our city,” Mayor Richard M. Daley told the crowd.
The participants and more than 20,000 spectators listened as Daley and a succession of speakers and entertainers celebrated the games.
“It is an honor to be here tonight to share in this grand, historic occasion,” said actress Megan Mullally.
Mullally praised Daley, telling the audience, “These games would not be here in Chicago if it were not for Mayor Richard M. Daley.”
The mayor, in a theme he often highlights, said Chicago is a great location for the event because the city’s “distinct communitiesÉall get along with each other.”
“We understand that diversity makes our city strong, dynamic and exciting,” Daley said. “We’re fortunate to have a very large, active gay community.”
That community has grown larger and stronger because of the Gay Games, said Sam Coady, who co-chaired, with Suzanne Arnold, Chicago Games, Inc., the organization that brought the games here.
“Our community has made new friends,” Coady said, citing “unprecedented support” from government, organizations and business to make the games a success.
“Gay Games VII will be remembered for the many actions of the brave heroes who have and will emerge,” Coady said.
To the athletes and volunteers, Coady said, “We look forward to the things we will teach this week and to the things we will learn from each other.”
Former Erasure frontman Andy Bell led the list of entertainers at the Soldier Field ceremony, which began with participants marching onto the field one group at a time under the banner of their home country, state or province.
More than 60 countries were represented, with France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines and South Africa all sending more than a dozen athletes each to Chicago. Team Chicago was by far the largest contingent recognized, with more than 2,500 athletes.
For many participants, it marked a return trip to the Gay Games.
“I had a good time the first time I went—it was so much fun,” said Dennis, a volleyball participant from the Philippines who went to the last Gay Games in Sydney, Australia.
Drew Baillie, part of a Canadian soccer team from Toronto, said he was looking forward to the week in Chicago.
“I just thought it would be a lot of fun and be a really great experience,” Baillie said.
For many participants, the Chicago event is an introduction to the Gay Games.
“It’s our first experience in the Gay Games,” said Danilo Tapia, who traveled from Chile with 10 other athletes. “We had the possibility to apply for a scholarship to come here, so it’s very nice for us.”
All were welcomed in grand Chicago style.
“The world has arrived in Chicago,” Arnold said. “Welcome to the global community of Gay Games VII.”
The ceremony ended with fireworks some four and a half hours after it began, though much of the crowd had already left Soldier Field.
By Gary Barlow
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
July 19, 2006
The 7th quadrennial Gay Games kicked off in Soldier Field July 15, with more than 10,000 participants streaming into the lakefront stadium for opening ceremonies.
“We welcome everyone to our city,” Mayor Richard M. Daley told the crowd.
The participants and more than 20,000 spectators listened as Daley and a succession of speakers and entertainers celebrated the games.
“It is an honor to be here tonight to share in this grand, historic occasion,” said actress Megan Mullally.
Mullally praised Daley, telling the audience, “These games would not be here in Chicago if it were not for Mayor Richard M. Daley.”
The mayor, in a theme he often highlights, said Chicago is a great location for the event because the city’s “distinct communitiesÉall get along with each other.”
“We understand that diversity makes our city strong, dynamic and exciting,” Daley said. “We’re fortunate to have a very large, active gay community.”
That community has grown larger and stronger because of the Gay Games, said Sam Coady, who co-chaired, with Suzanne Arnold, Chicago Games, Inc., the organization that brought the games here.
“Our community has made new friends,” Coady said, citing “unprecedented support” from government, organizations and business to make the games a success.
“Gay Games VII will be remembered for the many actions of the brave heroes who have and will emerge,” Coady said.
To the athletes and volunteers, Coady said, “We look forward to the things we will teach this week and to the things we will learn from each other.”
Former Erasure frontman Andy Bell led the list of entertainers at the Soldier Field ceremony, which began with participants marching onto the field one group at a time under the banner of their home country, state or province.
More than 60 countries were represented, with France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines and South Africa all sending more than a dozen athletes each to Chicago. Team Chicago was by far the largest contingent recognized, with more than 2,500 athletes.
For many participants, it marked a return trip to the Gay Games.
“I had a good time the first time I went—it was so much fun,” said Dennis, a volleyball participant from the Philippines who went to the last Gay Games in Sydney, Australia.
Drew Baillie, part of a Canadian soccer team from Toronto, said he was looking forward to the week in Chicago.
“I just thought it would be a lot of fun and be a really great experience,” Baillie said.
For many participants, the Chicago event is an introduction to the Gay Games.
“It’s our first experience in the Gay Games,” said Danilo Tapia, who traveled from Chile with 10 other athletes. “We had the possibility to apply for a scholarship to come here, so it’s very nice for us.”
All were welcomed in grand Chicago style.
“The world has arrived in Chicago,” Arnold said. “Welcome to the global community of Gay Games VII.”
The ceremony ended with fireworks some four and a half hours after it began, though much of the crowd had already left Soldier Field.
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