Another Silver Lining...
If I had to get knocked out of the Games in C-Division men's singles tennis --
as I did in the third round on Tuesday, without a chance for a medal -- what is the one thing that could happen later in the competition
to make me feel a little better about my loss? How about this: The player I lost to -- Greg Hopa of Zew Zealand
-- goes on to win the gold medal! That's exactly what he did yesterday (Saturday), defeating an Australian to do
it.
I congratulated Greg heartily and told him "Thank you sooo much for winning
the Gold!" Later he tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a tiny gold pin of a New Zealand Kiwi bird, a cherished
addition to my growing collection of pins from teams all around the world that I have been collecting from various athletes
in exchange for San Diego pins.
In other Games tennis news:
- my mixed doubles partner Jacqui Kinder of Australia walked away with two medals -- a bronze in women's
singles and a silver in women's doubles. Congratulations Jacqui!
- Jacqui's good friend and doubles partner, Monique, also of Australia, shared silver in women's doubles
and was battling for gold in mixed doubles (with Greg Hopa as her partner) when I left the Olympic Tennis Center Saturday
to come home and prepare for the Closing Ceremonies.
- George Byrd of San Diego attained a bronze medal in men's D-division singles
- And two other San Diego tennis players won gold and silver in other divisions of tennis (not sure who.)
Farewell to the Games...
The Closing Ceremonies of Gay Games VI on Saturday night was a time for reflection
and celebration. I joined thousands of athletes as they marched into a huge grassy area at Fox Studios
Sydney. It was a rather unorganized affair and I never did find Team San Diego. But it felt better anyway hanging
out with members of hosts Team Sydney and the Indigenous Australians Team. I traded a few more pins, including
receiving my most coveted pin yet -- one in the shape of Australia with the colors of the Aboriginal flag.
A highlight of the ceremonies was the hand-over from Sydney to Montreal (where the Games will occur
in 2006). A giant Quebecois flag was carried by a group of Sydney-siders and handed over to representatives of Montreal,
followed by a French-Canadian sprinter holding a large Quebec flag running in front of the stage and around the arena with the
flag waving proudly behind him. Every indication so far is that the 2006 Montreal Games will be an event not to be missed.
Drag Extraordinaire...
Saturday was capped off with a visit to the Imperial Hotel (they call bars and clubs 'hotels' a lot here),
famous setting for the opening scenes of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I was treated to some of the most
polished, garrish and excellently coreographed drag I've ever seen. Three larger-than-life drag queens regaled us, lyp-syncing
to various songs from the 30s and 40s, interspersing their performances with re-enactments of scenes from the movie.
Still on tap for my remaining time in Sydney: art exhibitions, waterfront dining and shopping,
a friendly game of tennis, souvenir shopping, and -- best of all -- a visit to a nature preserve to see at last that elusive
Australian wildlife.
Until next time, G-day!
