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 Press Release
1st World Outgames:
An Unparalleled Success at the Eurogames
Montréal, 2 August 2004 – On Thursday, 29 July 2004, the 1st World Outgames Co-President and three-time Olympic medalist Mark Tewksbury, co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the Eurogames in Munich with popular German television host Isabel Varell before a crowd of 30,000 spectators at the Olympic Hall. Each mention of the 1st World Outgames elicited thunderous applause and numerous standing ovations from the enthusiastic crowd.
Mark Tewksbury led a delegation of six people representing Montréal 2006 in Munich, which included Montréal 2006’s Chief Executive Officer, Louise Roy. Montréal 2006’s information and public relations kiosk in the Rainbow Village was a hub of activity where more than 6,000 pamphlets were distributed and over 1,000 athletes signed up for Club Montréal.
The Canadian Consulate and the Québec Office in Munich hosted a friendship cocktail on Friday, 30 July, at which leaders of some 112 teams were in attendance. Mr. Stephane Charbonneau, representative of the Canadian Consulate and Mr. Benoît Jean Bernard, director of the Québec Office in Munich, both restated the intention of the two levels of the Canadian government to continue to support the 1st World Outgames in Montréal in 2006, not only in financial terms, but by promoting the event throughout the international diplomatic network worldwide. They also emphasized the important contribution of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) communities make to Québec and Canadian society on social, cultural, economic and political levels.
Mark Tewksbury, supported by Geoffrey Lyne from Australia, Catherine Meade from Canada, Connie Schälicke from Germany and Ole Udholst from Denmark, emphasized that the 1st World Outgames in Montréal will mark a turning point in the evolution of GLBT sport, not only because it will be the largest gathering of GLBT athletes ever held, but also because of the International Conference on GLBT Rights which will be held just before the opening of the Outgames in July 2006.This high-level Conference, which is expected to attract over 2,000 delegates from over 100 countries, will be a first for the GLBT community in terms of scale and international attendance.
PRIDE WEEK IN MONTRÉAL: 1st WORLD OUTGAMES IN PRIDE PARADE
Divers/Cité, Montréal’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pride celebration, capped off a week of activities with its annual pride parade on Sunday, 1 August. Ninety groups braved the August heat to participate in this year’s parade, along with thousands of spectators.
The 1st World Outgames had a major presence in the parade with delegation of about 100 people, including representatives of a dozen of the city’s sports teams. Spirits were high as the parade headed through the streets of downtown Montréal into the Village in a wave of colour, music and cheers from the crowds lining the streets.
11th EDITION OF THE ROWING CANADA CUP AT MONTRÉAL’S OLYMPIC BASIN
Montréal’s Olympic Basin on Île Notre-Dame was the centre of activity on Saturday, 31 July and Sunday, 1 August for the 11th Edition of the Rowing Canada Cup, a competition that brought together about 350 elite Canadian athletes. Staff and volunteers from the 1st World Outgames were present for the entire weekend to lend a hand to the Rowing Canada Cup Organising Committee.
Top rowing athletes from each province — the future members of the Canadian national rowing team —participated in the Cup. The event attracted a large number of spectators who cheered on the athletes who will represent Canada in future national and international competitions.
Michel Prescott, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the City of Montréal, presented medals to winners at the close of the tournament on Sunday.
The Gay and Lesbian Rowing Federation (GLRF) held its GLRF Montreal City Launch as part of the competition weekend. The GLRF also had an information kiosk and held a Sunday afternoon summer social and barbeque at the Olympic Basin organised in collaboration with the Montréal Rowing Club.
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The 1st World Outgames Montréal 2006 Organising Committee is a not-for-profit organisation. The games will be held from 29 July to 5 August 2006 with more than 16,000 participants in the sport, cultural and conference programmes. Thirty-three sports disciplines will be represented during seven days of competitions. Participants from around the world and from over 100 different countries are expected. Opening and Closing ceremonies will cap off the sports competitions, open to all. An international gay sport and cultural “Rendez-Vous” not to be missed!
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