Bonnie Desselle, an avowed European traveler, took up running as a diversion a few years ago. She figured it would be a good way to stay in shape and have some fun running the streets. Now, she's ready to take on the world at the GAY GAMES V. She's been training four to six times a week just to be ready. Her energy source is pizza. Don't forget she's a marathon woman now. Look out Europe! Here she comes again! Bonnie's favorite color is blue. Marilyn McConnell is going to Amsterdam to compete in her second GAY GAMES. She is anxious to return to Amsterdam (her first visit was in 1961) because of its beauty and history. Don't let her age fool you! Marilyn has not one, but two, gold medals from New York 1994: in the 5K and the 10k. Marilyn loved New York: "being there with a city full of lesbians and gay men." She began her running career as a hobby; "I became interested at the age of 48 and started walking to jogging to running." Running on a daily basis too. She considers it recreation and belongs to the Front Runners New Orleans International Lesbian & Gay Running Club and is a member of the Bayou Women's Tennis Club. Her sport heroes are Cynthia Cooper and Jackie Joyner Kersey because "they are advocates and role models for women and girls." Marilyn looks forward to interviewing as many athletes as possible. She wants to network for her column that she writes in a local newspaper and would like to interview athletes here in New Orleans and in Amsterdam, especially those over the age of 60. She says, "call me and tell me your story." Phone her at (504) 866-1705. Marilyn loves to eat pasta (carbo for her running, you know). Her favorite color is red. Katherine is going to Amsterdam for the first time. She's seen Switzerland, she's seen France, now it's time to see her partner Deborah's back hand. Deborah is playing tennis. Katherine is competing in Track & Field. She says, "Hey, I have a flexible schedule, Deborah and my friends are going. I am not staying home." Katherine loves to travel; she speaks French and Spanish; she loves to wear Black. Katherine is perfect for Europe. She hasn't been involved with many organized sporting events, but is looking to increase her "participation." One of her favorite food staples in rice. Katherine will love the "riistabels" in Holland. She uses all this energy in her weekly work-outs with the running/walking club the Frontrunners. She says "exercise keeps me flexible and healthy." Of course, her favorite color is black.

Jamie Pettigrew Jamie Pettigrew has a lot of vested interests in Team New Orleans; he helped to lead the group in 1994 to the GAY GAMES IV in New York City. "Team New Orleans provides solidarity with local GAY GAMES participants." He's competing again in Track & Field. Jamie says the GAMES provide "gay visibility and camaraderie." When it comes to visibility, Jamie gets involved. He went to the March on Washington in 1993, and previously, had marched on Washington in 1987 He has traveled to several European countries where he perfected his command of the German language and he has visited Thailand and Hong Kong. This is not his first trip to Holland: "I felt at home right away in Amsterdam." Jamie's power food is spaghetti. "I love pasta, especially with rich red sauces." Jamie's favorite color is purple. Cheryl Weill has been playing sports since childhood. She says she's loved tennis "FOREVER." After being cheered in New York, finishing last in the 1500m race, she has seen the GAMES as a "symbol of unity." She vowed to return to the GAMES. Cheryl says, "It is the only event of its kind, regardless of orientation." She's traveled in Asia, but now Cheryl has set her sights on Europe. Her first visit will include, "Good beer and museums and a medal." To be ready for her events in Tennis and Track & Field, she's been doing lots of track work, running, and tennis playing. She's a long-term member of NOTC. She's also a member of the Bayou Women's Tennis Club. As Cheryl says, sports can achieve "a more open society, where being gay isn't even note-worthy." Her favorite color is blue.