Gold for Aussies at Outgames Copenhagen

Sydney’s gay and lesbian hockey club, the Sydney Bentstix, was awarded a gold medal at the Copenhagen 2009 World Outgames.

The club fought off rivals from The Netherlands and Britain to score gold under what Bentstix General Manager Danny Caretti said was the strongest team in the club’s history.

The Bentstix’s medal win is among a total 118 brought home by Australia, including 50 gold, putting it in seventh place overall.

Swimming and rowing accounted for the majority of Australia’s medals, with 52 and 19 medals respectively, and track and field accounted for 27. Australia also recorded medals for badminton, bowling, dancing, roller racing, running, softball and triathlon.

The United States finished with 506 medals overall, followed by Germany (274) and the Netherlands (243).

Host nation Denmark scored 202 medals.

Thirty-five countries participated in the Outgames, which were held from July 25 to August 2.

Australia’s northern neighbour Indonesia scored two medals, while New Zealanders took home 16.