But then, it’s Europe

by Zach Mullaney
Special to The Gayly

Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium, and was the site of the OUT Games this past summer. Luis, my partner and a runner, and I flew overnight to Brussels, and then by train to Antwerp.

We shared rooms with the Seattle Frontrunners, a group of about 25 track competitors. Oklahoma City has no gay track club, and the Seattle team welcomed us.

The hotel served a scrumptious buffet every morning, with every choice of taste anyone would want. Along with great granola, I always had one of the chocolate-filled croissants. This type of brunch would be at least 20 bucks here at home. The hotel bar had a deck outside, so we always had drinks or ate out there if we stayed at the hotel for dinner. I discovered a favorite beer there, DeKoninck, the best beer I’ve ever tasted.

Saturday evening was the Opening Ceremony and the Parade of Nations. There were over 70 nations represented, some with large groups of competitors, some small. At the parade, many wore costumes representing their country. The Aussies had large plastic kangaroos on their shoulders; the Mexicans were dressed in Mariachi outfits; Thailand had the most gorgeous drag queens in very elaborate costumes and head-dresses with plumes waving three feet above their heads; and the “randy hot Scots” (their song) wore kilts.

Every morning our track group took the bus from the hotel to Centraal train station. There we caught the train to the track venue, about a 15-minute ride. The second or third morning, while the group was waiting for the bus, a couple of guys were standing next to us. They stated that they lived north of Ft. Lauderdale in a development called Palm Aire.

Since our friend Homer, a native Okie, has a place in Palm Aire, I couldn’t resist asking, “Do you know Homer?” They both said, “Oh, yes we know Homer.” What are the chances, standing on a corner in Europe, of running into friends of a friend of yours? Homer certainly gets around. Jorge and Danny, the Florida guys, became fun friends while there.

I sat in the bleachers each day with TeeCee from Seattle, whose partner Carlene is a runner. TeeCee took photos of the Seattle participants, while I was taking photos of Luis in the racewalk and steeplechase. We sat next to the French track team, and got a taste of what Europe is like versus Oklahoma. The guys would drop their pants, butt naked, put on a jock strap and spandex shorts for their race. I don’t know how many breasts I saw when the girls were putting on their running bras. But then, it’s Europe.

Many participants were not with an organized team, so they often made themselves available to another team that perhaps needed a fourth for a relay. A runner from the Czech Republic joined a relay that Luis was running. The partner of one of the Seattle runners was a volleyball player. He joined a team of three Brazilians, and they ended up winning the gold medal.

The French women volunteered for every event, so they had two teams for the women’s 4X100 relay. Carlene formed a team with a young Cuban, a German, and an Aussie, called themselves the “Non-French Team and won by almost 75 yards.

The U.S., French, and Germans had the largest delegations of athletes competing in many sports, including Ballroom Dancing. It was good to see gold medal winners from some of the lesser countries, such as Bulgaria, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Finland, and Hungary. There were track and field events for all ages, plus a good selection of competitors in the 65+ group. One woman, 77 year old Inger from Norway was the only entrant in the 65+ women’s 800m, but she ran the two laps handily, and got the gold medal.

The next Saturday was Antwerp’s Gay Pride Day. There were thousands of spectators, and many elaborate floats. Some of the floats were a bit over the top, at least by OKC standards, but then, it’s Europe.

It was a great trip! Antwerp has the best sidewalk café scene ever seen, both in the Centraal with many boulevards being closed to only pedestrians and cafes. Belgian chocolates are almost orgasmic they taste so good; many new friends were made; we discovered Frontrunner track clubs all over the world – San Francisco, Oslo, Paris, Vienna, and Melbourne to name a few. It was so good to feel the gay camaraderie from around the world. And we have a new catch phrase when travelling and meeting someone for the first time: “Do you know Homer?” There is a good chance they will.

October 28, 2013