Every year for the past four years, Richard Sypniewski has been faster in his triathlon time than in previous years.
"I feel it is an accomplishment that every year I get older I get just a bit faster," said Sypniewski, 40, who is single and lives in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. He is the managing director and chief financial officer for SAGIN, LLC.
"I have been competing in triathlons for six years now and my goal has always been to beat my personal best time. My goal and purpose [ for ] participating in the [ 2010 ] Gay Games [ in Cologne, Germany ] is to be a part of the spirit of the games and foster inclusion of all people in the spirit of coming together."
Sypniewski competed in the 2006 Games in Chicago.
"The Opening and Closing ceremonies [ in Chicago were ] an overwhelming display of love and excitement which cannot every really be described in words," Sypniewski said. "Many of us who compete in any of our challenges every day, whether it is having a faster swim time, overcoming a physical disability or fighting for human rights, the spirit of inclusion is never more apparent than seeing the crowds of people coming together from all around the world to either compete or cheer their friends on.
"Whenever I watch the Olympic Games, I could not imagine what it would be like to represent my country in a competition such as that. Now that I am 40, it is well beyond my reach to compete in the Olympic Games. However, the Gay Games give everyone that opportunity and it is the most incredible feeling to participate in the Games.
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"I believe the symbolism of the Gay Games is a global event that demonstrates to the world that the GLBT community is vast and broad and in every corner of the world and that by coming together in the spirit of competition and inclusion demonstrates to the world the value that our community brings to the world. I also love the building of relationships across the world with people who share a common bond of not only our competitive spirit but our personal being as part of the global GLBT community."
More about Richard Sypniewski:
—High school: Curie High School in Chicago.
—College: Northern Illinois University, Class of 1991; Kellogg School of Management, MBA, Class of 2002
—Hobbies: Scuba, biking, swimming, home improvement, cooking and traveling.
—Superstitions: "The only 'superstition' is that I treat people like I want to be treated and then, hopefully, nothing 'bad' will happen to me. But I [ also ] never defy a superstition, such as walking under a ladder, just in case they are true."
—Little-known fact: Was bitten by a shark while scuba diving the Lesser Antilles
—Favorite sports team: Jamaican bobsled team
—Favorite pro athlete: Michael Phelps
—Quote: "I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and have always been a native Chicagoan. I've been very fortunate to travel to other countries and live in some for work. I'd strongly encourage anyone to find an event in the Gay Games which they enjoy and to participate. I know during these difficult economic times the cost of registration and expense of travel can be hard. However, where there is a will there is a way and the emotion and spirit captured during the events of the games is overwhelming and participation through either competition or volunteering is an incredible feeling."
