Real men do synchronised swimming
It’s a common misconception among sport-ing fans that there are no male synchronised swimmers in international competitions.
In reality, men compete in synchronised swimming at major events such as the quadrennial Gay Games events and the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics annual competition.
For more than 25 years, LGBTI sporting organisations have welcomed all people to participate in the sport, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, and male synchronised swimmers are just one example of the forward-thinking, non-discriminatory approach gay sports organisations apply when organising and drafting sports teams.
The Gay Games has led the way before in gender equality in sport, with same-sex pairs competitions in figure skating and bodybuilding. In addition, women began competing in Gay Games wrestling events well before women’s wrestling became an Olympic sport. And of course, having mixed gender teams in synchronised swimming has never been an issue for the Gay Games.
The Federation of Gay Games is the organising body that selects the host Gay Games city and manages the strategic planning of future events.
Since its birth in 1982, the Gay Games has grown to become a major world sporting event, and currently has over 12,000 participants.
The eighth edition of the Gay Games will take place in Cologne, Germany, in 2010, so there’s still time to register yourself as an athlete -” yes, even as a male synchronised swimmer!
info: For more information
visit games-cologne.com
