Montréal 2006 authorises use and/or reproduction of this monthly in whole or in part. If appropriate, the author can also be quoted. High resolution pictures can be downloaded here or in the Logos and Images section on our website. Materials must be appropriately credited with the name of the photographer or the owner of rights for use under license. This credit must be clearly displayed.

This text can be downloaded here in Word format (65KB).

Montréal Outgames: An inspired vision of LGBT Sport
Written by Steven Leclerc
1 May 2005

When you think of Montréal, the first things that come to mind are its charm and hospitality, its vibrant cultural life and spectacular cuisine. You may also be thinking of frolicking amidst the unending throngs of beautifully fashionable people strolling up and down St-Denis Street, or those shopping in the city’s historic neighbourhoods; areas like Old Montréal and Le Plateau, for instance, help generate this city’s distinct European feel. Among gay and lesbian travellers, Montréal is also well-known for its decidedly festive atmosphere. Everybody knows that throwing a party here, whether for a thousand or 100,000 people, is serious business—well, serious, that is, until the late hours of the following morning.

Beyond the sultry images of Montréal’s notorious Joie de Vivre, however, lies the less well-known passion for living that extends far into the world of sports. Montréal prides itself in its ability to organise and host world-class sporting events and provide every facility to do so. One need only look to the city’s well-maintained Olympic facilities (stadium, pools and man-made rowing basin), the famous Formula 1 Race Track or the Masters Tennis Stadium, to find landmarks that highlight Montréal’s fond reverence for anything sport.

Seasonal with their obsessions, locals cheer the venerable Montréal Canadiens hockey team throughout the winter and, during the summer’s first annual salvo early every June, people go wild over the Canadian Grand Prix Formula 1 Race – one of the world’s most popular GP events on the circuit. There, while black and white chequered flags blanket the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit on Île Notre-Dame, the city is alive, fervent with excitement.

Adding to the roster of major events this year, Montréal played host to the world’s top swimmers for yet another world-class event: the 11th annual FINA International Aquatics Championships which was held from July 17 to 31.

Recognition of LGBT Sports
Understanding that the global sporting world still remains a staunchly homophobic environment, I asked Mark Tewksbury, openly-gay Olympic Gold-medal Champion and Montréal 2006’s Co-President, how this sports-like atmosphere in the city can relate to an LGBT event like the Outgames and its 16,000 participants. “Montreal is an extremely open and tolerant city. Right from the start, the Montréal 2006 organising committee saw an opportunity to capitalise on this fact, to reach out and build bridges between mainstream sports organisations and the LGBT community.”

	Mark Tewksbury (Co-President of Montréal 2006), on 20 June 2004, Montréal was the last stopover for the Olympic Flame in North America.
	© Montréal 2006 | Olivier Samson Arcand (OSA Images) Haute résolution (3,327 KB)

Proud of the city’s remarkable openness, the former Olympian also mentions that “members of our community worldwide want to bring down barriers and build acceptance for the LGBT community in sports. By furthering Montréal’s natural tendencies for openness and acceptance, we have been able to focus on this goal and the Outgames will be a key moment to ensure greater recognition for our community’s achievements,” he proudly adds.

It is no coincidence that these principles of openness and bridge-building are shared by many in the international LGBT community. Just this past year, GLISA – the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association, was created to espouse and promote these ideals. Thus, GLISA’s rapidly expanding membership has decided to sponsor Montréal 2006’s LGBT sports and cultural festival, and in so doing Montréal is hosting the 1st World Outgames.

Montréal's Olympic Stadium
© Internationaux du sport de Montréal High Resolution (5,012 KB)

To reflect this principle of reaching out to the mainstream sports movement, Montréal 2006 set up shop in offices next door to Sport Québec – the hub of both Montréal’s and the province of Québec’s amateur sports milieu. In fact, when doing so in 2002, Montréal 2006’s organising committee was welcomed quickly as it began operations in space located at the Olympic Stadium built for the 1976 Games. There, where all of Québec’s sports and leisure federations are headquartered, Montréal 2006 assembled a sport staff with the knowledge and experience needed to build the required bridges and develop a sports programme worthy of recognition and awe.

Still, one wonders: has Montréal’s Outgames strategy yet accomplished this task? Montréal 2006’s Senior Project Manager, Pierre Rajotte - an experienced competitive swimmer and long-time member of À Contre-Courant, Montreal's gay and lesbian masters' swim club – thinks so as he proudly states that, out of the 35 disciplines on Montréal 2006’s roster, at least 30 will be officially sanctioned by provincial, national or international mainstream sports federations.

“We wanted to offer a complete spectrum of athletic possibilities for participants at the Montréal Outgames,” he says. “It is in this way that we feel we can exceed anyone’s expectations. Participants may register as a beginner, intermediate or advanced athlete in their category and so, whether someone wants to simply participate, have fun or compete amongst friends, everyone will be well served. The Montréal 2006 sports programme is open to all, regardless of ability, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, HIV status or nationality. Every individual is entitled to the same quality of service and attention. In addition, athletes that feel more competitive, who set more stringent goals for themselves or even hope to break records, will be able to register their performances as a result of the recognised sanctions we have negotiated to date. This is a remarkable achievement and speaks volumes of the progress we are making in having the value of LGBT participation in sport duly recognised.”

Considering the record number of sanctions already secured, Montréal will stand as the first LGBT games to achieve such an extensive degree of acknowledgment and quality of competition. Outgames’ LGBT sporting events will be listed with all of the sanctioning bodies, further ensuring visibility for competing athletes and an appreciation of their success.

	Olympic Basin, Parc Jean-Drapeau
	© Internationaux du sport de Montréal High Resolution (2,293 KB)

International Status, Greater Significance
Exciting and new, the Montréal 2006 Outgames will also see the first-ever LGBT Rowing competition registered in the international roster of events endorsed by the FISA (International Rowing Federation). Adding, then, to the competitive climate of the Rowing regattas, competitions will take place at the Olympic Basin on Île Sainte-Hélène; breathtaking and splendid, the Basin is located in the middle of the St. Lawrence River where one cannot help but revel in the downtown skyline Montréal offers, gently decorating the background of this site. The Basin is the only rowing facility of its kind in North America and was constructed, like the Olympic Stadium, in 1976. Modern and well-maintained, it is used regularly and often sees visitors amid the stands that dot its two kilometre length. Filtered water fills the Basin and an indoor training facility welcomes any competitor. A highlight for the Outgames, Rowing, Triathlon and Dragon Boat competitions held in this facility will leave participants and spectators feeling as though they are indeed at the Olympics!

In yet another first, Montréal 2006 has also obtained sanctions from Skate Canada, Canada’s Figure Skating Federation, for its figure skating competitions. The Federation will sanction all components of the Outgames Skate programme, including same-sex doubles. Consequently, judging will conform to the latest national and international standards.

Similarly, several other sport competitions at the Outgames will be registered by national sports bodies, including the Aerobics and Track and Field heats as well. Provincial bodies will sanction many others. Events will be held using certified officials recognised at their respective levels and will meet the standards established for mainstream national and international competitions.

Eight New Sports Disciplines
Montréal 2006 will host a record number of 35 sports disciplines. Comparing the Outgames to the 2002 Games in Sydney, one will find several new sports on the roster. Beach Volleyball, Dragon Boat Regattas, Roller Racing (roller blading), Racquetball, Rowing and Synchronised Swimming will accompany a roster of competitions comparable to that of other International LGBT events. In addition, Handball and Cross-Country Running events have just been added to the Outgames programme.

The fast-growing Sport Department is hard at work developing the sports programme, and is proud of the work accomplished thus far. Each member of the Sports Team brings practical experience that invaluably promotes the growth of the roster as preparations for the Outgames continue. “Our team’s formal training and practical experience in sports and recreation has been an incredible asset as we pursue and discover strong support in the local and international LGBT community. Leveraging this support, we have been successful in developing incredible partnerships with mainstream sports organisations and with city officials.” With a detailed map of site locations in hand, Pierre continues, “This has helped us tremendously in securing excellent venues for each of our events.”

Partnerships and associations have also created new possibilities for the Montréal’s LGBT community at large. As mainstream sports clubs, associations and federations throughout the city assist with preparation for the games, relationships continue to grow. Just last summer, Montréal’s LGBT Rowing Club, Odawagan, was invited to assist in organising the 2004 Canada Cup at the Olympic Basin, an act demonstrating significant inclusive attitudes and an open respect towards the LGBT community.

Well-known for its expertise in organising international events, the City of Montréal has also lent Outgames organisers their extensive know-how in preparing for 2006. Rainbow colours will be visible everywhere in the city as the local and international LGBT communities gather here en mass.

Métro of Montréal (Station Jolicoeur)
© Tourisme Montréal, Pierre Gingras High Resolution (1,183 KB)

Exceptional Sites Spell Convenience and Service
Outgames participants will immediately recognise the exceptional range and quality of the facilities provided for competitions. Venues will be assembled into five zones, each of which quickly and easily accessible by the city’s efficient and fast métro (subway) system.

Zone 1 – Parc Olympique, is where the 55,000-seat covered Olympic Stadium is located. This landmark, the heart of the 1976 Olympics, is also home to the Olympic Pools, a facility that includes a 50x25 metre, regulation-compliant competition pool and several others used for diving, warming up, training and wading. Fully-equipped trampoline rooms are also on site. The Stadium itself will be home to both the Opening and Closing ceremonies and will serve as the finish line for the marathon race, while Swimming and Synchronised Swimming competitions will take place at the Olympic pools.

Next door, the 5,000 seat arena – named after hockey legend, Maurice Richard – will host Figure Skating competitions. The adjoining Pierre-Charbonneau Centre will play host to the Aerobics, Powerlifting and Dancesport competitions. A few steps north, across Sherbrooke Street and next to Montréal’s world-famous Botanical Gardens, sits Maisonneuve Park, an oasis of 118 hectares (approx. 300 acres) of green space where short and long distance Cross-Country Running competitions will be held. Maisonneuve College, just down the street, will welcome Handball competitors. Throughout the week, the Olympic Park will be equipped with an open-air activity centre, stage and terrace where friends and athletes will gather between competitions to enjoy the balmy summer weather typical of Montréal in July and August.

A few kilometres away, Zone 2 – Jarry • Robillard sector, will host ten of the Outgames’ sporting events and their finals. The Claude-Robillard Centre (also built for the ‘76 Summer Olympics) is one of Montréal’s largest athletic complexes. Remaining a choice destination for Canada’s athletic elite and offering and excellent range of both indoor and outdoor facilities, it welcomes more than 2.3-million people each year for more than forty different sport disciplines. Of particular interest, the Claude-Robillard Centre underwent extensive renovations in 2000 and houses swimming and diving pools, gymnasiums, all purpose sports rooms, wrestling and judo rooms, fencing, archery and boxing facilities, racquetball, tennis and squash courts, outdoor athletic grounds and soccer (football) stadiums.

	Nageur d' À Contre-Courant.
	© Productions de l'Œil, Jean-Eudes Schurr Haute résolution (1494 Ko)

The Claude-Robillard Centre will host the Tennis, Softball, , Badminton, Cycling, Soccer, Volleyball, Diving, Water Polo, Roller Racing and Track and Field competitions. Nearby, several facilities, including Jarry Park (as beautiful as it is resourceful), two of the city’s major colleges and two arenas will assist in hosting the Volleyball, Badminton, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Softball and Tennis competitions. Here too, an activity centre will offer crowds a variety of entertaining events throughout the week – all as diverse as Montréal’s dynamic culture itself.

In Zone 3 – Centre-ville, Montréal’s newly expanded Convention Centre (Palais des Congrès) will serve as both the headquarters for the Outgames (where the media and administrative centres and registration desk will be located), as well as host for the Physique (Bodybuilding) and Bridge competitions. In the surrounding area, Beach Volleyball and Tennis will take place.

In Zone 4 – Parc Jean-Drapeau, houses the idyllic Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame, both islands that are directly accessible from Downtown. Here, and as mentioned previously, the Olympic Basin will see the Rowing, Dragon Boat and Triathlon competitions. Roller Racing (individual) and Cycling (time trials) heats will be onsite in this zone too, making use of the Formula 1 Grand Prix Circuit. Finally, the grand 3.4 km Jacques-Cartier Bridge, linking the Island of Montréal to its South Shore (and the two islands), will serve as the starting point of the Marathon competition.

In the University of Montréal area, called Zone 5 – Université, many sports disciplines will take place: soccer, hockey, racquetball, squash, bowling, pool/billiards and softball.

Zone 6 – Le Village, contains of course the Gay Village and its neighbouring university (UQAM) and college. Located in the heart of downtown, this zone maintains a distance of no more than 7.5 kilometres from any other given zone. Herein, participants will find Rendez-Vous Square and its lively activity centre, as well as the Basketball and Badminton competitions, and hockey games. Nearby Parc Lafontaine, a 40-hectare (almost 100 acres) green space complete with two linked ponds with a fountain and waterfalls, will see the Softball and Tennis competitions.

And the last sector, Zone 7 – Étienne-Desmarteau (named after the winner of the weight throwing event at the 1904 Summer Olympics, the first Montrealer to win an Olympic medal), will host the following sports: soccer, softball, karate, bowling, wrestling, tennis, hockey and table tennis.

Only two venues outside of these five zones will be used for competitions during the Outgames. Golf competitions will be held at the majestic Club de golf métropolitain and a shuttle service will be provided to facilitate participation as a competitor or spectator. Cycling competitions (mountain bike and road race events) will be set in Bromont, located in the beautiful Eastern Townships region, just 45 minutes south of the City. The Bromont site is home to the National Cycling Sports Centre for Eastern Canada and hosts such events as the MTB Masters World Championships and World Cup and National Competitions in Road Cycling.

	Dancesport
	© Montréal 2006 | Bruce Nelson / Event Images High Resolution (752 KB)

Women and Sports
An inspiring challenge, Montréal 2006 is calling on all women to participate in competitions and consequently reach an equal ratio of female to male registrants. Looking to achieve a goal of 50% female participation, Lucie Duguay, Co-President of the Outgames, admits there is a challenge present but one that is extremely possible to meet. She points out that, “the highest rate of female participation in mainstream sporting events hovers around 10% but numbers are higher for LGBT community sporting events. Of all international LGBT events, the Amsterdam Gay Games set the record at approximately 47% female participation. We have set up an outreach programme to foster greater participation by women and by athletes originating from developing countries. Our hope is that Montréal 2006 will serve as a true symbol of equality and openness to the world.” Proof of Montréal Outgames’ commitment to this ideal is the strong presence of women at every level of the organising committee.

Divers/Cité Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival
© Tourisme Québec, Jean-François Leblanc High Resolution (5,012 KB)

A Unique Sports Experience. A Lifetime of Memories
In 2006, Montréal Outgames will decidedly be the “In” place to be. The City will adorn itself for the occasion as the Outgames’ presence will be felt throughout the Island-City and beyond. With the Outgames scheduled the same week as Montréal’s Pride festivities (Divers/Cité), Montréal will truly be the closest thing imaginable to a ‘gay city.’ Promising a rich cultural programme, the International Conference on LGBT rights and a vast array of parties planned for any taste, Montréal’s Outgames will stand as an incomparable symbol of inclusion and acceptance.

Montréal Chronicles

Montréal Olympic Stadium, site if the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

© Tourisme Montréal High Resolution (4,416 KB)

Gayrobic dancers facing the Olympic Stadium at the Outgames podium.

© Montréal 2006 High Resolution (5,087 KB)

Montréal's skyline viewed from Jean-Drapeau Park on Île Sainte-Hélène.

© Ville de Montréal, Johanne Palasse High Resolution (752 KB)

Sport - Diver

© Productions de l'Œil, Brent Stirton High Resolution (1,381 KB)

Notre-Dame the Bonsecours Chapel in Old Montréal

© Tourisme Montréal High Resolution (839 KB)