Paul Brummitt, GayCities Copenhagen editor, is blogging from World OutGames, through this weekend in the great Northern European city. He is serving as an announcer for swimming competitions.
Just one little story of many in this amazing event called Outgames: A Dutch swimmer, Robert Weyhenke, got disqualified and I was the announcer who read it out. He came to me distressed, saying it was awful because in fact he had set a new European record for his age group (55-59). And what’s more, it was his birthday.
He went to see the referee. Yes – it was a mistake! His time was valid, and it was indeed a new record. We owed Robert something big-time for the mixup. We arranged a special one-off medal ceremony, with the chief referee placing the medal round his neck herself. Beforehand, I asked Robert to tell me a few things about himself so I could make the ceremony more personal. He was very modest and gave me little more than his team name–Upstream Amsterdam.
Moments later some of his team-mates came to see me. They told me that Robert was too modest. In fact he has been a top fundraiser for AIDS research for developing countries for 18 years, getting royals, politicians and celebrities roped in to help.
So after he got his medal, and before we played his national anthem, I took the opportunity as announcer to tell the audience a bit more about him. He got a standing ovation, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” and he shed quite a few tears up on that podium!
Congratulations, Robert, on your personal best time in 10 years, a new IGLA record and a new European Masters Record – all on your 57th birthday!
The cultural events are proving to be a real crowd puller – both for off-duty athletes and locals of all sexualities. Last night, the most popular show was on the Antwerp stage, with Mask’Ara giving a fabulous show watched by a crowd of a thousand. It was a warm pleasant evening after a couple of chilly nights, so the streets were teeming.
Another unfortunate episode: A 30-year old Dane threw large fireworks at the track & field participants in Østerbro Stadium. An American participant needed hospital treatment for a minor injury. The perp appears to have been particulary lacking in intelligence, as many of the athletes there are sprinters or long distance runners. The gave chase and corraled him, handing him over to the police who were quickly on the scene. Moral of the story: “Don’t mess with us!”
Photos courtesy of Paul Brummitt & Mask’Ara
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