Real Men DO Participate in Synchronized Swimming

A press release from the Federation of Gay Games:

San Francisco – 20 MAY 2009 - Recent written articles [see Der Spiegel] and radio interviews about men and synchronized swimming have given the indication that there are no male synchronized swimmers in international competitions. This is not accurate: men compete in synchronized swimming at major events such as the quadrennial Gay Games events and the IGLA (International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics) annual competition. For over 25 years, LGBT sport has welcomed all people to participate, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

The Federation of Gay Games is the organizing body that selects the host Gay Games city and manages the strategic planning of future Gay Games events. The Gay Games is a well-established international competition, which began in 1982, and currently has over 12,000 participants. The eighth edition of the Gay Games will take place in Cologne, Germany, in 2010.

The Gay Games has led the way before in gender equality in sport, with same sex pair’s competitions in figure skating and bodybuilding. In addition, women began competing in Gay Games wrestling events well before women's wrestling became an Olympic sport. And of course, having mixed gender teams in synchronized swimming has never been an issue for the Gay Games.

LGBT aquatics, including synchronized swimming, are organized by IGLA, a member of the FGG. Since 2002 at the Gay Games VI in Sydney, Australia, IGLA has been the governing body responsible for sanctioning the rules for swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and diving at the Gay Games, ensuring the highest quality aquatic events possible.

For a complete list of all Gay Games synchronized swimming medalists during the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, including 13 male competitors, visit the Gay Games Chicago website.