Matthew Mitcham Joins Blake Skjellerup As Asia-Pacific Gay Games Ambassador

Australia’s Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham, who was forced to withdraw from the 2011 World Diving Championships because of an abdominal injury, has been named an ambassador for the next Gay Games, SX News reports, Mitcham joining Australia’s Olympic cyclist Michelle Ferris and Australia’s first Gay Games ambassador, Olympic trampoline champion Ji Wallace. In its announcement, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) said Mitcham joins New Zealand’s Olympic ice speed skater Blake Skjellerup, as Gay Games ambassadors representing the Asia-Pacific region. Mitcham read the athlete’s oath at the beginning of the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany and also took part in the International Rainbow Memorial Run for people living with HIV/AIDS and met participants at various venues including the Gay Games Scholarship reception. FGG co-president Emy Ritt said Mitcham’s involvement in the 2010 Gay Games alongside Ferris gave them the opportunity to see “first-hand the life-changing power of this event which brings athletes from around the world together in a celebration of sport and culture in a safe and welcoming environment,” adding “And beyond this event, all of our ambassadors understand our mission to promote the fundamental human right to practice sport and culture free from violence and discrimination.” FGG co-president Kurt Dahl welcomed Mitcham and Skjellerup’s support for the 2014 Gay Games. “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. Each has taken their time to join us, and know that this means that they are fully invested in supporting the next Gay Games,” Dahl said. Gay Games ambassadors support the games and the FGG’s work “to develop the lesbian, gay, bi and transgender sports movement, to combat homophobia in and by sport, and to promote the FGG’s message of ‘Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best’.” Ferris became Australia’s second Gay Games ambassador taking on the role in May 2008. The next Gay Games will be held in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio in 2014.