Olympic Gold Medalist becomes Gay Games Ambassador

Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis will serve as co-host of "A Night of 100 Champions," a gala to benefit the Chicago 2006 Gay Games. Scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 2006, the event will honor top U.S and international sports legends and top artists at the Cadillac Club at Soldier Field.

Louganis also will join the "Gay Games Ambassadors," an international group of prominent individuals supporting the goals and principles of the quadrennial Gay Games. Ambassadors include Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Billy Bean, Billie Jean King and many other notable celebrities.

Greg Louganis will travel to Chicago to co-host "A Night of 100 Champions," the first of two events at Soldier Field's Cadillac Club the weekend of April 22-23, 2006. More than 100 individuals and organizations will be honored for achievement in sports, culture and support of the GLBT community. The event will include a silent auction, awards presentation, VIP cocktail reception, celebrity concert, and dancing on multiple stages.

The next morning, Sunday, April 23, the Cadillac Club will again be the site of "Breakfast with Champions." A brunch buffet with entertainment will be followed by an intimate Meet the Champions Panel Discussion hosted by a surprise guest celebrity with the opportunity for questions from the audience and autograph signing.

Tickets are $75 for "A Night of 100 Champions," $65 for "Breakfast with Champions" or $125 for both events. Patron Tables of Ten are available at $1,500, $2,500 and $5,000 levels, each offering a VIP Reception, preferred seating and benefits according to donation levels. Sponsorship levels starting at $10,000 provide upgrades to premiere seating, distinctive recognition opportunities, and specially crafted sponsorship packages. Ticket and sponsorship information is available at online.

Directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner

Tobi played by Robert Stadlober and actor Kostja Ullmann, who plays Achim, have been best friends for years. They have helped their team win several rowing cups and are now looking forward to the important regatta in the countryside. As Achim’s relationship with his girlfriend grows more serious, Tobi becomes confused and increasingly left out. As the tension grows, Tobi, Achim and the others head towards a confrontation as fierce and liberating as the summer storm gathering over the lake. Summer Storm highlights the emotional confusion of young people at the threshold of adulthood. Bolstering the film’s authenticity is the dazzling characterization of Tobi by Robert Stadlober.

Awards:
Best Feature Audience Award, Munich
Best Feature Audience Choice, Melbourne Queer FF
Best Feature Audience Award, PIkes Peak
Best Independent Feature, Rochester Lesbian & Gay
Best Feature, Pittsburgh Intl Lesbian & Gay FF
Best Feature, Male, Audience Award, Long Island G&L FF

To mark International Women's Day, the Organising Committee of the 1st World Outgames Montréal 2006 launched today the Outgames “Circle of Women”. The goal of the Circle is to promote greater participation by women by encouraging female athletes and teams to register for the various Outgames sport activities and by creating a programme that addresses the interests and expectations of women participants. During previous games, women represented only 30% of registered participants.

The Circle of Women is currently composed of women working within the Outgames in a variety of capacities, ranging from competition directors to coaches and officials. These women have taken on the challenge of making the 1st World Outgames a milestone for women’s participation in sport, with a goal of having women participants represent a record 40% of overall registrations.

“On the eve of International Women’s Day, the Outgames are proud to promote our ongoing mission of increasing the participation of women to the highest level ever for an international event combining human rights and sport,” said Louise Roy, CEO of Montréal 2006.

The Circle of Women will now be part of the 1st World Outgames Circle of Excellence, whose members include, among others, Martina Navratilova, Mark Tewksbury, Nancy Drolet, Myriam Lafranchise, Canadian billiards Champion, Robert Dover, Olympic equestrian sports champion from the U.S., Holly Metcalf, American Olympic rowing champion, and Brian Orser, Canadian Olympic figure skating champion.

The 1st World Outgames Montréal 2006 will continue to build on the momentum it has already created, and the number of registered participants and countries represented bodes well for the Outgames’ success. The International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, which will be held just before the opening of the Outgames sport programme, will bring together 2,000 delegates and numerous respected speakers from around the world.

Major partners have teamed up with the Outgames to ensure the success of the event, including the Governments of Canada and of Québec, the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, Labatt, Bell Canada, Air Canada and Via Rail. Opening and Closing ceremonies with the Cirque du Soleil are currently in the planning stages and the full ceremonies programme will be unveiled soon.

For the first time in the history of LGBT sport, the 1st World Outgames will be televised on Canada’s national public broadcaster, Radio-Canada, during prime time.

Dates are subject to change, please verify with each event
Elevation 2006: Mammoth Gay Ski Week, Mammoth, California, March 15-19

19th Annual San Jose Invitational Volleyball Tournament, San Jose, California, March 18-19

Heart of Texas Classic 4 (Tennis), Austin, Texas, March 18- 20

Over the Rainbow Bonspiel (Curling), Ottawa, Canada, March 24-26

New York Indoor Classic (Soccer), New York City, New York, March 24-26

Three Rivers Eastern Area Tournament (Bowling), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 24-26

Southern Shootout (Softball), Birmingham, Alabama, March 25-27

San Diego Crew Classic 33rd Regatta (Rowing), San Diego, California, April 1-2

Sunshine Stampede Rodeo, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, April 7-9

Orange Blossom Tennis Championships, Orlando, Florida, April 14-16

Los Angeles Open II (Tennis), Los Angeles, California, April 14-16

Dixie Invitational Bowling Tournament, Atlanta, Georgia, April 14-16

Armadillo Bowl (Flag Football), Dallas, Texas, April 15

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