EuroGames 2004: The countdown has started From 5th July 2003 onwards sports enthusiasts from the whole of Europe will be able to register for the ninth EuroGames in Munich. The organizers of the gay and lesbian sporting event, which will take place from 29th July until 1st August 2004 in the capital of Bavaria, have developed a special program, so that participants can register using the Internet. Over a period of almost a year athletes and spectators will be able to sign up for 27 different sports and numerous cultural events. Munich, 1 July 2003 – The countdown has started for the ninth EuroGames 2004 in Munich. From the 5th July 2003 onwards, lesbian, gay, bi-, trans- and of course heterosexual sportswomen and sportsmen from the whole of Europe will be able to register for the games via Internet. The EuroGames from 29th July until 1st August 2004 will be hosted by the capital city of Bavaria. Athletes may sign up for up to two disciplines from among the 27 different sports on offer. Above and beyond this there is a wide-ranging cultural and entertainment program open to participants and spectators alike, who can book the numerous events, workshops and talks. A comprehensively designed and readily understandable program at www.eurogames.info shows the way through the virtual registration form. Participants who are not able to register online should use the printed registration brochure. Up to 30th April 2004, all participants can sign up for the Games. The EuroGames are intended for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual and also heterosexual athletes who are committed to equal opportunities and the integration of homosexuals in sport. Every year the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF - the governing organization in the Netherlands) awards the Games to a different European city. Major EuroGames like those in Munich take place only once every four years. The EuroGames are games with open arms. Everyone is welcome, regardless of gender, origin, sexual orientation, and religious or political beliefs. Disabled competitors in particular are encouraged to take part in EuroGames. 27 sports, 5000 athletes, 20,000 visitors „Munich s'ports the rainbow" will be the slogan for up to 5000 sportswomen and -men from 47 countries, who will be coming to Munich in the summer of 2004 to compete for medals in 27 different sports. More than 200 competitions will take place over two days in and around the 1972 Olympic Park in Munich. Unusual sports such as line dance, air gun shooting and fencing are just as much a part of the EuroGames program as swimming, volleyball or track and field athletics. Many of the sports venues can be reached on foot within a few minutes. Besides the regular competitions, hiking and climbing tours will be taking place in the Alps. Finally there will be concerts, films, plays, exhibitions, parties and Munich's beer gardens to whet the appetites of those party animals who will not just be coming to Munich for the sport. The organizers are expecting around 20,000 visitors. Registration via Internet is available from the 5th July 2003 onwards: this applies to those participating as individuals and in teams, and to those accompanying them (associate participants), and additionally to spectators, helpers, hosts (for private accommodation) and journalists. Regular participation in EuroGames costs 68 Euro for members of the EGLSF. Non-members pay 78 Euro. Participants registering between 1st March 2004 and 30th April 2004 pay an additional charge of 10 Euro. For their stay in Munich, EuroGames will provide funding for athletes with a limited income from certain countries (Outreach Program). Sport fans who are not taking part in the competitions, but who still want to enjoy the EuroGames, can book the Visitor's Package for 35 Euro, which gives admission to all the sporting events. The opening and closing ceremonies and the ticket for the public transport system are also included in the price. The central meeting place for all participants is the Coubertin-Platz in the Olympic Park (the "Rainbow Village"), where the athletes, spectators, helpers and journalists can obtain their passes, participation documents and information. Most of the events of the EuroGames will take place in the Rainbow Village. The press center will be here, and catering will be provided. The EuroGames will start on the 29th July with a huge opening ceremony in the nearby Olympia-Halle. Since 1992 the EuroGames have been hosted regularly by various European cities. Following the turn of The Hague, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Paris, Zurich, Hanover and Copenhagen (2003), the governing organization in the Netherlands, the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), decided on Munich as the host city for the Games. The organization "EuroGames Munich e.V." is responsible for running the EuroGames in Munich. There are already more than 100 volunteer helpers who are active in nine project groups. To a large extent they come from Munich's gay and lesbian sports clubs, which have a total of more than 800 members. A nine-person board is coordinating the preparations. The EuroGames are being financed largely through the membership fees in the EuroGames e.V., the participation fees and the sale of tickets. In addition support for the games is being contributed by sponsors. One of the first is Bristol- Myers Squibb. Christian Ude, the Mayor of Munich, is the Patron of EuroGames 2004. +++ Further information and details for the press at www.eurogames.info Sascha C. Falk Mrotzek Conrad Breyer Dr. Jürgen Eikenbusch Press Spokesman Media Relations Media Relations Tel. +49 (0)172 8542512 Tel. +49 (0)170 1859705 Tel. +49 (0)179 2942467 Fax +49 (0)89 63879-701 Fax +49 (0)89 54852520 sascha.mrotzek@eurogames.info conrad.breyer@eurogames.info juergen.eikenbusch@eurogames.info eurogames munich 2004 corporate communication postfach 330702 d-80067 munich blumenstr. 28 d-80331 munich tel +49 (0)89 59043-691 fax +49 (0)89 59043-690 e.mail press@eurogames.info