Jessica Andrasko battled for the bronze medal at Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany, but her volleyball team's fight was spiked, so she returned home to Chicago without a medal. But loaded with fond memories.
"The Games were absolutely amazing," Andrasko said. "The teams we played against were the best competition we have ever seen and they were also very friendly and fun to even hang out with outside of the games. We went to parties together and even hung out for hours after the matches were done just to talk and drink and have a great time with teams from other countries."
And after the matches, Andrasko and her teammates exchanged jerseys, T-shirts and warm-ups with players from other teams.
Sport officials also asked Andrasko's team to referee the gold-medal match between the French ( Contrepeid So What ) and Germany ( Elbpearls ) , ultimately won by the host country. Her team dropped its battle for bronze to another French team ( Contrepeid So French ) .
"Cologne is a beautiful city that is very gay-friendly, even without [ hosting ] the Gay Games," Andrasko said. "Speaking with a Colonian, as they call themselves, this city is very supportive of the gay community. It would definitely be a place that, if I had the opportunity to visit again, I would."
Andrasko was one of about 125 Chicagoans competing in the quadrennial sports and cultural event that attracted about 9,500 participants from 65 countries. The Games ran from July 31-Aug. 7.
However, Andrasko not only competed but took part in at least one local custom: putting a lock on the so-called "Lock Bridge" that crosses the Rhine. "You lock a lock representing your love with your partner, spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend and lock it on the bridge, and [ then ] throw the key into the Rhine to lock in your love for one another," Andrasko said. "A beautiful and moving scene and just very cool. These locks have been on the bridge for many years and represent love from around the world."
Robbie Martin of Chicago also played volleyball in Cologne, for the London Volley in the men's/mixed AA Division. And his team featured players from Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand and, of course, the United States.
"It was a unique experience going into it since I hadn't played with any of them previously, but they welcomed me on and we ended up coming together really well. We went on to win the gold medal in front of a packed house, which was an amazing experience and the obvious highlight of the Games," Martin said. "The overall camaraderie built among all the teams throughout the week was special for me. The fact that we're in an inherently competitive environment, but are genuinely supportive of each other's victories and sympathetic to each other's losses despite language and cultural barriers is a perfect example of the spirits of the Games."
Martin sung the praise of Cologne, noting that the locals were "extremely welcoming and accommodating."
"I met several locals who were not even affiliated with the Games who I plan to stay in touch with beyond this week—from a political activist who grew up in Cologne and currently lives in Berlin to a lounge singer from the bar in my hotel," Martin said. "The hospitality of the locals made it easy to feel at home.
"The Gay Games is a rare opportunity to interact with like-minded people from around the world in a supportive and open environment. It is a special time when bonds and memories are forged that would otherwise be impossible. Although it is sad that the experience only happens every four years, I know the friendships made there will last indefinitely, so I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Steve Orellana, from central Florida, had mixed emotions in Cologne. He won his age division in the triathlon, but knew his coach, Hector Torres, endured a serious injury in the event, as first reported last week in Windy City Times.
Torres suffered a fractured skull, among other injuries, during a crash in the bicycle portion of the race. He was hospitalized for most of the Games.
"The opening ceremony's organization wasn't as good as Chicago's" in 2006, Torres said. "However, the closing ceremony was spectacular. The people were very receptive and warm, welcoming to all of the athletes.
"For the only sport I participated in [ due to the injury ] , the triathlon, there weren't any race officials on the bike course, which led many people to cheat, draft and cause accidents like I suffered. Not that I am happy with that. But the events were great and colorful."
Torres, who ran the marathon at the Games in Chicago in 2006 and was slated for multiple events in Cologne, reported Aug. 7 that he had lost about 15 pounds from the injury.
"Let's all keep Hector in our prayers and hope he can recover quickly and stronger than before," Orellana said. "He was kicking my butt in the triathlon and I know he would have taken gold."
Orellana also won a silver medal in the 10K ( 6.2-mile ) race, finishing in 36 minutes, 22 seconds. "It was a challenge running the day after my triathlon," Orellana said. He also was a silver medalist in the 5K ( 3.1-mile ) race, finishing in 17:05. "I really wanted to go under 17 minutes, but I am happy with the results," he said.
Orellana did not medal in the half-marathon ( 13.1 miles ) , finishing 21st overall and sixth in his age group, timing in at one hour, 22 minutes.
"It has been a roller-coaster of a week," Orellana said.
Jack Mackenroth, the New York-based swimming sensation who garnered worldwide face while appearing on Project Runway a few years ago, was competing in his sixth Games.
"The experience of the Gay Games did not disappoint," Mackenroth said. "The swimming competition was six days and started [ daily ] at 8 a.m. The venue was amazing. It was the first time I had ever seen a steel bottom pool which used sunlight and reflection to heat the water. It was stunning. I think there were about 750 [ to ] 1,000 swimmers competing and the competition [ was ] tough and the swimmers [ meant ] business."
Mackenroth won one gold, five silver and one bronze medal.
"I was more than pleased with [ my medals ] , although the best day was my last day, which is a pretty good sign that I didn't rest enough beforehand or jet lag had taken its toll," he said. "In any case, I didn't do any personal best times, but I had some great races. I guess it was the year of the silver medal for me. That's OK. Silver goes better with my skin tone anyway."
Mackenroth competed in the 4x50-meter medley relay along with former U.S. Olympian Bruce Hayes, Josh Judge and Rob Hermanet.
"I met some really amazing athletes form all around the world," Mackenroth said. "Cologne is a very charming city and the people were warm and hospitable. From what I experienced, Cologne did a great job of hosting the Gay Games."
In the area of basketball, the San Francisco Rockdogs continued to dominate the Games, defeating the Long Beach Rebels 68-56 for the gold medal in the men's A-division. The Rockdogs also were golden at the Games in 2006.
In the bronze medal game, the DC Sentinels defeated the Sydney Specters 58-44. American Vice Consul Matthew Paschke, Consul Chris Grossman and gay former NFL player Dave Kopay awarded the three U.S. teams their medals, Outsports.com reported.
The Colorado Climax captured ice hockey gold in the recreational division, beating the Toronto Wolfpack for the title. The Boston Lobsters finished third. The Hogtown Boys won gold in the open division, while Team USA won gold in the women's division.
The Chicago Smelts swim team returned from Cologne with a bronze medal as the team features Luis Balaguer, Michael Thiry, Scottie Phinney and others.
Chris Morgan, the three-time world "open" powerlifting champion and Gay Games ambassador, announced his retirement from three-lift powerlifting—after winning yet another Games gold medal.
Morgan has won three world gold medals, five British championship titles and six Gay Games gold medals, plus several other national and international titles. He will compete in the deadlift at the European "Single Event" Championships in Malta in October.
Federation of Gay Games ( FGG ) co-president Kurt Dahl said, "Chris Morgan has been an outstanding ambassador for the Gay Games. We are fortunate to have on our list of distinguished athletes, artists, and other dignitaries a man with such a remarkable career in mainstream and LGBT competitive sport, and are proud that his career began in the Gay Games. The Gay Games are the largest sporting event in the world open to all, from novices to elite athletes. With Chris, we have living proof that one can go from novice to elite status right here at the Gay Games. We look forward to continuing to work with Chris as an ambassador and in support of future Gay Games powerlifting events."
Games officials reported that 29 world records were set in the swimming competitions in Cologne. World records can only be established at master competitions. The records have to be reported to the swimming association within two weeks, and those results will be analyzed and the official record lists produced.
Kevin Boyer of Chicago was in Cologne for personal and professional reasons—he is part of the Games' PR crew, but also played for the Indianapolis Sluggers softball team.
Boyer's team won the silver medal, while the Philadelphia Fusion claimed gold.
"Disappointed we didn't get gold, but we had a blast," Boyer said.
Andy Burke of Chicago just missed a volleyball medal as his team finished 4th out of 14. "While we didn't win a medal. I can easily say this is the most fun/best group of guys I've played volleyball with," Burke said.
Kien Tran won a silver medal in the pole vault, which had to please the San Francisco resident at least a bit since, about three weeks before the Games started, he suffered a foot injury. He admitted he was just happy to march into the opening ceremony without needing crutches.
"The foot is still not well and my heart is aching for not being able to run. Well, there will be Gay Games Cleveland in 2014," Tran said.
Ah, yes, the 2014 Games in Cleveland. Well, they definitely will be held in Cleveland—but there will be a different organizing committee than the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, which spearheaded the winning bid last December in a three-city bid process that included challenges from Boston and Washington, D.C.
"Due to … difficulties, we initiated a termination of the contract [ with the Cleveland Synergy Foundation ] on July 6," said FGG's Kelly Stevens, who would not comment more about the issues with the Cleveland Synergy Foundation.
"We wanted to try to be quiet about [ the termination ] until after Cologne, but it got out."
However, regarding the 2010 Games, Dahl called the event "great," adding he was " [ v ] ery happy with how Games Cologne staged this event. The closing ceremony was fun, celebratory and a great way to end the week."
