Just out., July 01, 1990, Page 16, Image 16

Team Portland______
A lot of average people becoming better
than average sports stars
B
Y
M
O____ R
G
A ____N
D
jcs the idea of getting up at 4 am to down
six raw eggs, drink 32 ounces of water
and then run five miles before you have your
eyes open appeal to you? Thought not.
This is not necessarily all of Team
Portland’s idea of a great time either. Some of
them have other things to do—like fielding
140 members to Celebration ‘90: Gay Games
HI to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia
the first week of August. Team Portland is
our community’s hope in what will be one of
the biggest sporting events to be held
anywhere in the world this year.
Just who are these people? Tall, sun-
burnished Olympic contenders? Not exactly.
While it is true they have all participated
competitively or actively in most have taken
an early retirement due to sports-related
injuries or other health problems.
Bev Mickelson, co-chair, is an exercise
physiologist. She was forced into early
retirement due to a rare bone disease. “Gay
games and cultural events are an extremely
positive aspect of our community. In 1986, we
had 70 people registered ... we doubled our
draw. This shows how the interest has grown.
Celebration ‘90 will be a once-in-a-lifetime
experience. Team Portland is ready to exhibit
its pride!”
Registration coordinator, Tyler Cole's
major hobby is competing with the slugs in
his garden for the tomatoes. A former runner
and biathlete, he was diagnosed with bone
spurs in his heels. He switched to swimming
a year and half ago. Still active in
Frontrunners, he helps with organizational
activities and recently worked on the
Stonewall Run team.
Dave Corral, fundraising chair, was a
volleyball participant in the 1986 games in
San Francisco. He has been side-lined by a
pulled patella tendon in his left knee. Tennis
is what he plays now.
"The reason I got involved with Team
Portland is that I felt it was time to give back
to the community. I enjoy sports
tremendously. I think the whole idea of a gay
athlete is such a stereotype-breaking,
iconoclastic kind of thing. After the games I’d
like to see Team Portland continue and,
hopefully, one day host our own gay games
festival in Portland."
Jay Dobson, team coordinator, was at the
1982 Gay Games in San Francisco but didn’t
compete. “I had the notion that only the great
athletes would be there. I was intimidated. I
went down there and watched. I realized there
were a lot of average people there.
In 1986, there were a lot of positive
aspects which came out of those games that
didn’t get a lot of publicity. There was a lot of
networking and organizing as a result
I went in the triathlon because I’m not
good enough to compete individually in any
of the sports. It was a great way to meet a lot
of different really nice people from all across
the country.
Richard Brown, co-chair, played tennis in
the ‘86 games. “There were two of us, my
doubles partner and I. I went down there not
knowing too much about the games. And I
discovered this marvelous experience. It was
just thrilling to be there with twenty or thirty
thousand gay fans in the stands cheering.
"The competition was fun. It didn’t mean
anything. I played in two events and won one
match in doubles. Given that the games are in
Vancouver this time, more people should be
able to abend.”
All of the members of the organizing
committee were found in 1989 with
networking, either by phone or by ads in the
newsletter from the Summit Athletic Club.
The Gay Games is founded on the
just om T IS Y July 1990
Second and third place winners respectively,
Amy Valentine and Karen Fong are the
martial arts team amd members of the
Festival Chorus.
principal of participation, of doing one’s
individual best. It doesn’t have anything to do
with competition. There are no qualification
standards for any of the sports. Anyone can
enter.
Team uniforms have been provided for the
athletes by a variety of fundraising events and
activities. Athletes are training both
independently and in teams led by volunteers.
Participation and realizing one’s personal best
are the goals of competition.
Team Portland wishes to thank all of the
people and corporations that have supported
them. Bridgetown Realty was the first of the
major sponsors to join the team. Other
sponsors are: Cascade Therapy Associates,
PC, TV Host, 310 Hair Design, Jelly Bean,
Hobo’s and Just O ut. The rosters for the
teams are all filled out. The fundraising efforts
of Team Portland have been successful. All
that remains is the Games themselves. Do go,
if you get the opportunity to do so. The next
Games will be held in New York or in
Sydney, Australia and both of those places are
a good hike from Portland. Makes Vancouver
seem right around the comer. Team Portland
is hoping to keep up the good work in the
interim between this year’s Games and any
upcoming ones. They plan on continuing
activities here at home, and hope to be able to
form an umbrella group for all sporting events
in the gay and lesbian community. The dream
is to some day sponsor Portland’s own Gay
Games.
A
Jim Gambrell: The exception
that proves the rule
lthough the majority of Team Portland
ranges from rank amateurs to those
somewhat involved in one sport or another,
Jim Gambrell is the exception.
He has a very ambitious goal for 1990 and
has entered the marathon, triathlon and
several swimming events. In 1986 he won a
gold in the triathlon, a bronze in the marathon
and eight medals in swimming for a total of
10 medals.
His training revolves around preparing for
the triathlon. He runs three days a week,
swims three days a week and bikes back and
forth to work. When his schedule permits, he
works in a long bike ride of 20 to 40 miles.
When asked which event he enjoys the
most, Jim said “swimming. The team aspect
of everyone pulling for each other is great!”
Good luck, Jim.
- Bev Mickelson