Δύο μετάλια για την Ελλάδα στα OutGames 2009.

Δύο μετάλια για την Ελλάδα στα OutGames 2009 που έγιναν φέτος στην Κοπενχάγη. Ένα αργυρό και ένα χάλκινο. Και τα δύο στον χορό.

Το χάλκινο πήρε ο Georgios Tzoulas από την Ελλάδα, μαζί με τον Michael Hall από το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο που ήταν το ζευγάρι Νο501, για τη συνολική τους συμμετοχή σε όλα τα είδη χορού στις 31 Ιουλίου.

Το αργυρό πάλι το ίδιο ζευγάρι, διαγωνιζόμενο με τον αριθμό 310 στο λάτιν, στις 30 Ιουλίου.

Στο βίντεο που ακολουθεί μπορείτε να δείτε εντυπώσεις από πολλά αθλήματα.


From: sporteventdenmark

Μία μικρή συνέντευξη του Georgios Tzoulas, που όπως βλέπω κατάγεται απ' την Σάμο.

1- Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is George Tzoulas born on the small island of Samos in Greece. Small but very pretty. I met Michael when he visited Samos in the summer of '94 and visited him just before Christmas that year and since then I 've been going back home for holidays.
The funny thing is that I was only going to stay in London for a short time on my way to France. The plan was to stay in France for a year or so to improve my language skills. I love the French language having studied it for 3 years at college (Hotel management is my background). Needless to say that I've forgotten anything French! I did manage to go as far as Calais to buy some booze and as far as Disneyland Paris to play with Minney or was it Mickey?
2- When and in what circumstances did you start dancing?
If you are born in Greece and on a small island, learning all the traditional Greek folk dances is a must.
To be honest, it is not a choice, as it is actually part of the physical education programme. I did enjoy it and I must have been good at it as I ended up in the school's folk dance group. In my later years and after finishing my military service, I formed my own dance group performing at hotels and various national celebrations. See if you can spot me on that old photo. I must have been around 17 or so.
As far as latin music and dances are concerned, I've always loved the latin beat and believe it or not there was an influence of the latin rhythms in Greek music. However, all I knew about Ballroom dancing was the names: Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba. Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot.
When I was at college on the island of Rhodes a guy brought a video with a recorded latin dance competition from a German TV channel. Well that was the first time that I had seen ballroom dancing. I loved it, but it never crossed my mind one day I would be doing it myself.
3- When did you get involved with the s-s dancing scene in London?
My involvement in the Same Sex dance scene started as soon as I landed in the UK. At the time, together with some friends, Michael ran a Sunday tea dance in Carnaby Street at Ruby's Dance Club called ‘Carioca’. He was telling me all about it when he was in Samos. There is some very interesting history and some nice stories behind it. Mike can tell you more.
He also had some ballroom music with him he let me listen to. So when I came over to London that first Sunday, I found myself trying to dance the Cha Cha Cha and trip over my own feet trying to do the Quickstep. I fell in love with the whole thing and I wanted to learn more. I'd get up and make a fool of myself but next time I could do a bit more. Michael quite often would back lead me so within a month I could dance a few more steps. I have to say my heart has always been with the latin dances.
This is when I met people like Mary White and her partner Carmen, Spike and Brian (some will know them), Alan Wake, John Church, Jacky and Mary. Rodney and Peter Ryan. Do forgive me if I forgot to mention some of you.
I remember Peter very well. He was the one to teach me some of the line dances. A real gentleman who loved to dance and understood so much of the technique. I was so thrilled for him, when he decided to compete with Rodney a few years later. They looked so good together and they did very well indeed at the Rivoli competition, the first time I saw them before I started competing.
4-- What was it like then, when you first started in the s-s dancing community? Could you share some of your memories of the time when you started dancing?
Memories? Far too many. I never felt that it was strange to have two people of the same sex in close hold. Greek dances are danced with men holding hands, so it didn't feel "unnatural" at all. What was so lovely was the people and what still makes it so lovely is the people. So, so friendly and such a joyful atmosphere.
People from all walks of life were just having fun, drinking, laughing and dancing to something different than Club music. To be honest with you if you are single it is a very nice way to get to know someone lol! A tango or a waltz is recommended as a very good excuse to get close to someone ;o)
Was it different? I suppose it was but for me it was all new. It has all moved on a long way and I think the main stream dance world is more accepting of two men dancing together. The best example is the first Saturday of the month at the Rivoli Ballroom. I don’t' think you'll find such a weird mixture of people in any other club having so much fun under one roof.
Then there is the South Bank dance events initiated by Nicky Miles. Who would have thought that gay guys and girls will be demonstrating ballroom dancing and the straight ones will be watching and applauding? Thanks to the Dutch, ballroom dancing is part of the featured sports in the Gay Games, the Eurogames and the Out Games and is one of the most popular events with the audiences. Would I dare say a bit more popular than swimming, both involve dressing up in lycra.
5- What does the Peter Ryan Trophy mean to you?
Oh it was such a thrill to even been nominated but to win it too.... that felt SOOOOO .... GOOD. Especially when you knew the person that it is in memory of, it makes it special. It was in appreciation for my contribution to making the women look good on the competition dance floor. Have I really? I'm not sure maybe you should ask each of them.
However, receiving the Peter Ryan Trophy made me more confident and I am now a full time dance costume designer and maker. Thanks girls for making me believe in myself and hopefully Peter feels as proud for me as I feel being a winner of his Trophy.
I'll tell you this little story. My sister came over ten years ago and I took her to the Rivoli. She was amazed with the atmosphere. As I walked off the floor my sister said. "I've just danced the Cha Cha Cha". I said "You don't know it, how did you do it." She pointed to Peter. "That lovely man taught it to me just now." I feel privileged that I had the honor to know Peter. God bless his soul.
6- Thanks a lot for your answers and is there anything else you would like to say?
Keep dancing all of you lovely people. The more the merrier lol! Don't be scared of the competition floor. It is like social dancing but with a bit more of that adrenaline pumping up in your veins. It is all fun and one can make so many friends along the way. I have and I don't regret a moment.
I hope that one day (and I really hope that it will be in my time) to compete in Blackpool, the Mecca of ballroom dancing, in a Same Sex dance event run alongside the main stream ones.

[Από την ιστοσελίδα των OutGames 2009 και από εδώ. Ευχαριστώ τον φίλο Β. που μου το έκανε γνωστό.]