auQLisl 3. 2001 ' jM«t OMt, 4 i
Go fop the gold
Start planning now
if you want to attend
the Gay Games next year
in Sydney Australia
by
R ic h a r d B r a y
ifteen months from now might seem like
the distant future, hut for those planning
on attending the Gay Games in Sydney,
Australia, the organizing already has
begun.
Scheduled for Nov. 2 to 9, 2002, the event
promises to he even bigger than recent Games
in New York City and Amsterdam, the Nether
lands. Planners expect about 20,000 people to
attend, including 7,000 to 8,000 athletes,
which actually surpasses the number of partici
pants the 2000 Olympics attracted!
One of the most exciting aspects of the Gay
Games is its openness to all people, regardless
of athletic skill. The emphasis is on participa
tion, not necessarily competition. Interestingly,
though, any records set during the event are
recognized by world sporting authorities.
The Games will have the luxury of using
many of the same facilities recently erected for
the not-so-gay 2000 Olympics. And Sydney
should have no problem handling the scope of
the Games— the city’s Gay Mardi Gras is billed
as the worlds largest queer event.
The week before the Gay Games also will
he full of activities. A cultural festival will fea
ture events galore including poetry readings,
hands and much more. And the gay intema-
on th e
tional bowling championships will he held in
nearby New Zealand.
The Internet site www.Sydney2002.org is up
and running and includes a complete list of sport
ing events—all 31 of them! Most were featured
during previous Gay Games, but 2002 will include
a taste of Australia with new competitions like
sailing, touch rugby, netball and field hockey.
In addition to backyard sports badminton
and table tennis, figure skating is sure to be a
big draw. With three styles, four age groups and
six classes of experience, there will be lots of
skating to watch.
Also fun for spectators will he the dance
events. Competition is expected to attract
200 couples, ranging from beginners to pro
fessionals. Female and male couples will
compete in separate events.
And don’t miss the physique contest. The
event will focus on natural bodybuilding, show
casing both women’s and men’s ultra-buff bods.
Also look for a chess and a bridge tourna
ment. Just don’t expect drag three-legged
races— the Games really is about sports.
All Summer Long— 7 Days a Week
-i
—
Live Music 5 N ig h t s a W e e k
Banquets A Catering for
all of your summer events
B il l y
The G ay G am es VI sem inar will start 9 :3 0 a.m .
A ug. 11 at the Northwest C ultural Center, 1819
N .W . Everett S t. Those interested will have the
opportunity to sign up with Team O regon to partic
ipate in the G am es. To preregister call Rip Rupins
ki at 5 0 3 -2 2 3 -1 1 0 0 . For more information visit
the Internet site w w w .iplanvacationtravel.com .
RICHARD B ray is a Portland free-lance writer and
an intrepid traveler who survived a trip down the
Am azon but is waiting for the martini toss to
become an event at the G ay G am es.
W
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on oth
pai-io
Breakfast S a t <& Sun 8am-3pm
Rip Rupinski of
Vacation Travel
Planners, formerly of
Downtown Travel
Services, is spearhead
ing much of the travel
aspect of this upcoming event.
He knows the territory, having taken groups to
previous Gay Games.
Rupinski’s specialty is queer travel to the
South Pacific, so he’s especially excited about
Sydney. He says about 45 people from Oregon
are expected to attend the Games.
“I got into this with a 10K race at the 1990
Games in Amsterdam, and I came in sixth in
my age bracket,” Rupinski says. “That would be
ancient.”
Last time, the 65- to 70-member Oregon
Team brought home about 30 medals. Rupins
ki says the gender breakdown usually splits
evenly— “half men, half women; half athletes,
half spectators.”
He adds that the Games in Vancouver, British
Columbia, was “absolutely the most gay-positive
experience I’ve ever had. It’s not often that this
side of our lives gets much visibility. We literally
took over the city and turned it into the Castro.”
Rupinski is sponsoring an upcoming semi
nar to answer questions possible participants
and attendees might have. The $5 fee will go
toward uniforms for Team Oregon.
The seminar should last about two hours,
and Rupinski stresses it won’t he just about the
Games. Aussie specialist Jeff Adam will dis
cuss travel options for those who want to
linger Down Under and see the rest of
the country.
According to Rupinski, it’s not too
soon to he making plans and reserva
tions. He already has 30 rooms on
hold for the Games and says things
are starting to fill up.
Although prices and details are not
yet set, he expects to have three levels of
packages available. Priced out of Los Ange
les, the cheapest one costs about $2,200 and
includes nine nights of lodging and, of course,
airfare. A higher-priced package for about
$3,500 will include an additional five nights
exploring the Northeast coast. Hmm.... jH
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