More than 9000 registrations already received; participants are coming from more than 70 countries to Cologne. The Rhein Energie Stadium is the venue for the spectacular opening ceremony. The central venues during the games are the villages in the city centre on Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz.
In one month the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 will commence. The German foreign minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle (FDP) will officially open the largest sporting and cultural event in the world in the Rhein Energie Stadium on July 31st. Dr. Westerwelle has taken over the role of patron of the Cologne Gay Games. More than 9000 sportsmen and women from more than 70 countries have already registered for the sporting meet and cultural events. As a comparison: at the start of the year, around 2500 athletes participated in the winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
The Gay Games will mobilise the whole city of Cologne from 31st July to the 7th August. “Gay Games Villages” will be located at Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz public squares. These are the special meeting points for the participants. A diverse program will be offered on numerous stages. More than 2000 people will be participating in the band festival, choral festival and cheer leading. Budding performers have until the end of April to apply to participate in the “Visual Arts” exhibition. Here, movement is also the major theme. Directly after the opening ceremony in the Rhein Energie Stadium, the Lanxess-Arena in Cologne-Deutz will play host to the opening party. Tickets sales have already begun.
The preparations for the Cologne Gay Games are running at full speed. In order to ensure the smooth running of the numerous cultural events and sporting meets, 3000 volunteers are required. Volunteers can register on the Cologne Gay Games home page. At the same time, a billet service has been arranged. Here, participants not wanting to overnight in hotels will be able to find suitable accommodation.