New Zealand Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup has been made a Gay Games Ambassador alongside out Australian diver Matthew Mitcham. Skjellerup and Mitcham will be asked to support the Gay Games, which is the largest international sporting event open to all, and the Federation's work to develop the lesbian, gay, bi and transgender sports movement, to combat homophobia in and by sport. They join athletes such as former NFL player David Kopay, ex-NBA player John Amaechi, and former Olympic diver Greg Louganis in the role. Federation co-president Kurt Dahl has expressed the pleasure of the Federation of Gay Games at the support of the two athletes. "We are very grateful that both of these young men have decided to commit to the work of Gay Games Ambassadors. We recognise that for athletes at the peak of their competitive career, commitments must be made with care," he says. "Each has taken their time to join us, and know that this means that they are fully invested in supporting the next Gay Games, which will be held in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio in 2014."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 29th July 2011 - 10:56am