Outsports on FGG Olympic initiatives

The Federation of Gay Games has announced a new initiative called OASIS: Out Olympic Athlete Solidarity Inspiration & Support. The program is designed to offer financial support for openly gay Olympic athletes.

FGG officer of marketing Doug Litwin, one of the driving forces behind the program, said he hopes they can raise enough money and awareness to help elite gay athletes come out of the closet and compete in the Olympics. He said the impetus came in 2008 upon hearing that Matthew Mitcham’s partner was having trouble raising the money to get to the Beijing Games.

The initiative will be funded by donations solicited from Gay Games participants and member organizations. All donations collected for the program will be divided evenly between two initiatives: 50% will go to help openly gay athletes reach the Olympic Games; 50% will go to the Gay Games’ scholarship fund, which helps disadvantaged athletes attend the Gay Games.

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