WELCOME ADDRESSES

Welcome from the Lord Mayor

As Mayor of Munich, I supported the application to organise the EuroGames here in 2004 from the very beginning and am very pleased to take on the role of Patron.

There are many indicators of the tolerance and liberal community spirit that has come to characterise Munich. The vitality and the self-confidence with which the gay and lesbian community has established itself in our city is one of the most gratifying signs.

The volunteer organisers of EuroGames 2004 have set themselves challenging objectives: exciting sporting competitions with high standards at first class venues, a cultural programme which will give pleasure to our many visitors, a central "Rainbow Village" in the Olympic Park as a place for everyone to get together. I want to endorse the idea that the EuroGames 2004 in Munich are intended for a broader public as well as the lesbian and gay communities of Europe.

You can now register for the EuroGames 2004 in Munich. For a whole week in the summer of 2004 the EuroGames will transform the city and the Olympic Park into a showcase for Europe - fully in keeping with the motto of these EuroGames: "Munich s'ports the rainbow".

As the mayor of the city of Munich, the capital of Bavaria, I look forward to welcoming you personally at the opening ceremony on the 29th July.

Christian Ude
Mayor of the city of Munich
Patron of EuroGames 2004 in Munich
and honorary chairman of the advisory committee

Welcome from the General Manager of the
Munich Tourist Office

Munich glows, and in all the colors of the rainbow (to misquote Thomas Mann). Characterized by its variety, tolerance and enjoyment of life, the city is the home of a lively, self-confident gay and lesbian scene. Since being awarded the EuroGames Munich is even glowing a little brighter.

As the General Manager of the Munich Tourist Office I am delighted that Munich will be host to the EuroGames 2004.

Many different sports, active support for equal rights and recognition, lots of fun, and 5000 gay and lesbian athletes as visitors - the games offer splendid prospects for Bavaria.s capital city. We can look forward with excitement to sportswomen and sportsmen from the whole of Europe, to competitions and records, to celebrating winners and fair losers, and to a wide-ranging accompanying cultural program.

Since the decisive sporting impulse given by the Olympic Games in 1972, Munich has been playing in the top league of the major sports metropolises, with all the additional positive effects for tourism in the city. Beyond this, sport has importance for the whole of society: sport unites and integrates, and barriers of all kinds lose their significance.

I will be very pleased to be able to welcome the sportswomen and sportsmen and their fans, and I wish them all success, friendly encounters and carefree days.

Dr. Gabriele Weishäupl
General Manager of the Munich Tourist Office