Among the Olympics torch-bearers named this morning are gay figures from the sporting world.
7,300 torch-bearers were named this morning and will carry the flame for 70 days and 8,000 through the UK in July ahead of the opening of the Olympics on 27 July.
Chris Basiurski, Chair of the Gay Football Supporters’ Network said of being nominated: “I am delighted and humbled at being chosen to carry the Olympic flame. For many years LGBT footballers have been on the fringes of society and at the GFSN we have worked hard to send out the message that football is for all regardless of sexual orientation.
“When I first came out I remember being told by my University LGBT society that I needed to ‘drop the ridiculous straight obsession’ with football if I was going to be happy in the gay world. I am really proud that the GFSN has helped change this attitude and that the UK’s LGBT footballing community is so strong. I am very excited!”
The chairman of London’s gay rugby team, the King’s Cross Steelers, also said today he was ‘humbled’ to be named as a torch-bearer in the Olympic Torch Relay. Tim Sullivan, 51, was nominated by team members after 2 years leading the West Ham-based Steelers, who last year became the European champions in gay and inclusive rugby.
He said: ‘I’m humbled. It really blew me away that my name was put forward, and to be selected is a really strange feeling. I think I’ve been chosen because the Steelers are so diverse as a team. We’re one of the nearest clubs to the Olympic Stadium, too, so I think they’re pleased to have a real local bearing the torch!’
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