qSPORT Int. ... for queer qualities in sport

After the closing of EuroGames 2011 it feels important to look back and see what were the new developments in world of LGBTQ sport in past and prospects in upcoming year. There is not so much at what Rotterdam organizers excelled over successes of past EuroGames organizers. Amazingly ambitious yet successful Munich in 2004 (included sport and conference for disabled; generated surplus), social and political Utrecht in 2005 (featured many Eastern Europeans), remarkably organized Antwerp in 2007 (year after GayGames and Outgames split) ...or colorful and passionate Barcelona EuroGames in 2008 (left all inspired by first major games in south)... but Rotterdamers (with Budapest) made a few innovations worth looking into and learning from.

Last weekend we had the first ever Pride in Split. This was also the first time ever that LBGTQ community acted in a visible way in public space in the 1700 years old city. For a conservative society deeply influenced by the catholic church Pride was a huge shock. And the local population reacted in that way. Before Pride the city was covered with numerous anti-gay and anti-gay pride graffiti. No one cared to officialy condemn or remove them. Even today, a week after Pride, they are still standing on city facades.

"I believe it is time that we mandated that sport fulfill the wider role of societal inclusion and cohesion that the current rhetoric and anecdote around sport erroneously implies it has already achieved. Sport for sport’s sake is a luxury that the global economy will not tolerate much longer.
The reality is that without compromising winning at all, sport can be used to do amazing things in terms of bringing a greater understanding of people and an appreciation of diversity. This cannot be achieved while holistic interventions are employed in a haphazard manner that relies on the good intentions of random individuals for successful outcomes. The sporting world does not rely on chance when it comes to winning, and we should not do so for the goals of inclusion and cohesion that sports so often espouse." John Amaechi - Former NBA Player

In 2 weeks on 4th of March I will be presenting in Frankfurt at Members Best Practice Conference as pre - EGLSF AGA 2011 with quite a few speakers and workshop presenters.

My presentation What creative fields can contribute to innovation and development in LGBTQ sport? is a part of Cultural Perspectives on LGBTIQ Sports paired-up with Wagner Camargo's session "Discussing Sex and Sexuality in the sports arena" on his scientific research as social anthropologist.

A lot of discussions on execution of future the EuroGames happen among LGBTQ athletes and organizers - especially those interested in it's next incarnations for 2011 and 2012. After 2 years without EuroGames on the continent - brand has lost a bit of visibility and also many are concerned with future of event. In fact as 2013 and 2014 will again be years without EuroGames this issue will be relevant for a while.

Considering changes within needs and interests of younger LGBTQ population, as well as demise of enthusiasm among experienced - keeping the event running will be a challenge in the future. Big multi-sport tournaments across Europe tend to deliver similar experience in even more compact format and with less costs to the athletes.

What should be relevant for delivery of future (Euro)Games?

Today I started working on credibility and visibility of Men's Cup 4 by placing a reference to Wikipedia entry on Synchronized_swimming and then establishing a new page on Men's_Cup (only regular men's synchro competition in the world).

Seems simple and straight forward, but for anyone who ever edited and submitted things to Wikipedia it is likely familiar how this is not an easy and simple thing to do as new article needs to establish solid credibility under quite hard regulations...only then one can be happy to have achieved some visibility in public by being part of world's fastest growing encyclopedia and reference base.