Do you know...Adka van Osnabrugge?

Adka van Osnabbrugge is the director of the EuroGames 2011 in Rotterdam. That sounds impressive and it actually is. But who is Adka and what does she do exactly?

Adka van Osnabrugge, what are you going to do for the Rotterdam EuroGames?
''As director it is my duty to make sure that all sports events and cultural events will go as planned and that everything runs smoothly. For example the expected 6000 participants with a nice balance between the number of female and male participants. But also the look and feel of the EuroGames, which should be positive of course. I will give my best until the end of the tournament to achieve this together with all hard working volunteers. At that time I think we all will be tired out and, hopefully, satisfied.''

You are not part of the LGBT-community and yet you apply yourself. What is there to gain for you?
"Me being director of the EuroGames brings me the opportunity to show that I am against any form of discrimination. For once, I am the minority who has to adjust to the majority. I started noticing this feeling during the Canal Parade in Amsterdam last summer. I particularly felt outside of my comfort zone back then. It feels different to be part of a minority. Never before in my life I have experienced a sense of one big family among complete strangers. After the opening ceremony of the Gay Games in Cologne trams packed with people were waiting to leave. In my tram someone started singing in German after which a Dutch guy took over, and after that a French song started. Everyone was singing and clapping. It was a nice moment to share, a moment I won’t easily forget."

What are your greatest sport achievements?
"I was a national Dutch youth champion in fencing, forty years ago. Back then I was 14 years old. I currently enjoy playing tennis and golf."

Who would you like to show the EuroGames world this summer?
"Mister Geert Wilders, member of the Dutch parliament. He has created an image supporting the ‘standard behaving’ white Dutchman. He also represents everything about non-tolerance whereas the EuroGames particularly stands for tolerance. It would be nice to see mister Wilders looking at different people with more sense when he sees how we all shape the differences that make the EuroGames such a fantastic tournament. Being together, sporting together and celebrating together sends out a powerful message."

What would you do with 450,000 referee whistles?
"I would hand out whistles with a coloured cord to all 6000 participants as a reference to the 2011 COLOUR festival. The remaining whistles I would hand out to the people of Rotterdam so that they can use it when they see injustice."

Which part of the EuroGames are you looking forward to?
"I am very much looking forward to the whole EuroGames experience, how people experience this great atmosphere. The dialogue it will generate and celebrating that everyone, also in sports, is allowed to be who they are. It would be fan-tas-tic if……we achieve a little “understanding” through the EuroGames in Rotterdam."