Swifter, higher, fabulous: Gay Games aren't a drag

CHICAGO, July 15 (Reuters) For bowler Michael Cook, it's strictly competitive. For cheerleader Eric Hoffman, it's political. And for Chicago's Mayor Richard M Daley, it's a possible Olympics dress rehearsal.

Welcome to Gay Games VII, eight days starting today of sports and cultural events promising something for everyone -- from world-class athletics, to band concerts and art installations, to the Pink Flamingos, an outrageously campy aquatic show.

The city hopes millions of dollars will flow to hotels, estaurants and bars, and organizers claim the games could turn a profit for the first time since starting in 1982.

Meanwhile, anti-gay marriage demonstrators are revving up for protests, including preaching outside some of the games venues.

''I signed up just to show people what we can do as a community, and challenge the conventional heterosexual comments that we're not able to do it,'' said cheerleader Hoffman, 34, sporting a pink Mohawk.

About 12,000 athletes, from an Olympic volleyball player to recreational darts throwers, will compete in 30 different sports across the city and several suburbs.

Some 70 per cent will be from the United States but about 70 other nations are represented, including some where homosexual athletes ''come out'' at their peril. The US government eased immigration restrictions for noncitizens with HIV to attend.

The event is one of two in North America this summer due to a schism among organizers. The first World Outgames will unfold in Montreal July 26-Aug 5, with an even larger participation, the group there says.

A spokeswoman for the Montreal event said nearly 13,000 athletes have signed up so far for 35 events and the total may reach 16,000 from more than 100 countries.

Only 2,500 of the Montreal participants are from the United States, compared to the top-heavy US representation in Chicago. A Montreal event spokeswoman said the Iraq war and Canada's more liberal attitude toward gays generally may play a role in the larger international field they expect to land.

TICKETS SOLD Going into today's Chicago gala opening ceremony, entry slots were filled for all sports and tickets to some of the hottest events, such as body-building, were sold out.

For Chicago, the Gay Games could be a stepping stone toward the prize coveted by longtime mayor Daley, the 2016 Olympic Games. Chicago, the 3rd largest US city, has made a bid for the ''big games'' along with four other US cities.

''The Gay Games is like a preview of the Olympics for 2016; it's like a showcase for us,'' Daley told a news conference.

The Gay Games movement was started in 1982 by Tom Waddell, a US decathlete at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Some 1,350 athletes signed on for the first event in San Francisco.

''This event shows diversity, unity and a financial and political strength at a time when we are being attacked,'' said health care executive Jan Berger, 49, who will compete in women's tennis doubles with her partner Robin.

Michael Cook, 43, a burly truck driver from Chicago, said he had no political agenda in signing on to bowl at the games.

''It's strictly to see how I measure up against the other bowlers. It's strictly competitive,'' he said.

Geoff Myers, 44, a professional dancer, will swap his tights for a tennis racket.

''I participated in the 1994 New York games and it was the most amazing experience in terms of gay athletics and getting to be part of the community,'' he said.

''It's both competitive and political. It shows the world our athletic ability and breaks the stereotypes -- and it's a wonderful social event as well.'' REUTERS SB KP0924