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Gay Games V:
Team New Orleans Triumphs In Amsterdam
by Brian Sands
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

From August 1 through 8 not everyone in Amsterdam was Gay, but at times it sure seemed that way. Over 14,000 athletes and hundreds of thousands of fans and supporters converged on the Dutch capital for a celebration that lived up to this Games' motto, "Friendship Through Culture and Sport."

Wherever one looked, the Games' colors of pink and yellow could be seen: on posters plastered throughout the city, on banners strung between the most heavily trafficked streets, on flags that fluttered on the front of trams and busses, and on balloons that decorated the boats that sail along the beautiful canals. Identification of the participants was made easy by badges worn around the neck and, as the week progressed, by the shiny medals that adorned the winners as well.

At least 14 of those medals were brought back to the Big Easy by the 60 members of Team New Orleans, a group larger than the entire delegation of some countries. One of the first medals of the Games was awarded to Kelly Bryson, who won the gold in the women's weightlifting 75 kg (165 lb.) division.

In track and field, Jody Gates led the competition in the women's 5K race (ages 55+) and also got a bronze medal in the 10K race. Mike Duffy clinched 3rd place at 5K (men, 55+) and would have gotten a silver in the 1,500 meter had the 50-54 age group not been combined with Mike's 55-59 year olds. Reita Lawrence and Katherine Peale each also won bronzes in the women's 5K racewalk.

On the tennis courts, Team New Orleans' two players took home a medal in every division they entered. Sharon Gouse triumphed in the women's 45+ singles and with Deborah De Bram won a bronze for women's 35+ doubles. Deborah also captured another bronze in women's 35+ singles and, paired with Michel Bisset, a cute Canadian from Montreal, added a silver for mixed doubles 35+ to her collection.

At the bodybuilding finals, Arthur Roger and Curt Queyrouze were robbed of a gold medal in the men's pairs division but the silver will still look damn good against their awesome physiques. Each also won a bronze, Arthur for men's masters 40-50 years old and Curt in the light heavyweight (90 kg) category.

Also in bodybuilding, Clifford Ueltschey of Team Austin scored with a silver medal at 70kg. Row Team Austin stroked their way to at least ten medals. (See Eric Crabtree's column for details.) And Carol Bailey brought a bronze back to the Crescent City for women's singles bowling.

All who participated, however, were winners. In a tough pool of 58 teams, Houston Force made it to the final sixteen in men's B volleyball. Angela King achieved a fifth place finish in her age group in the women's triathalon. Marilyn McConnell placed fourth and Louise McFarland sixth in the women's 55+ 5K race. Though Jamie Pettigrew finished eleventh in the men's 5K (30-34), he was not disappointed. "I wanted to come in under 21 minutes," he said. And he did.

Four groups who participated in the Gay Games deserve special mention. Some athletes with HIV/AIDS, including a bodybuilder who captured a silver in the mixed pairs, never thought they would be able to compete, yet they demonstrated that this disease can be triumphed over.

Elderly competitors in track and field, swimming and a 78 year old bodybuilder impressed the crowds with a tenacity that some people half their age could not hope to match.

At the tennis and dancing competitions, physically challenged people displayed a daunting combination of grace and toughness. After the Latin American dance wheelchair division performed, there was hardly a dry eye left in the auditorium.

Finally, those Gays and Lesbians from countries where homosexuality is still illegal, such as Rumania and Iran, risked their lives to participate in the Games. Those folks are not merely athletes, but true heroes.

[Our next issue will feature the many events that went on in Amsterdam during the Gay Games including the fabulous Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Parties.]

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