Scout.com on gays in the Olympics

From Scout London:


The Olympics – a gay affair
LGBT Sport & Fitness
24 July 2012


Jack Cullen looks at what is being done to tackle homophobia in the modern Olympics

[...]

Today, major hurdles are stacked in front of gay athletes. Nearly 80 of the countries taking part in London 2012 criminalise homosexuality, which seems behind the times to us in London but would have been totally alien to the ancient Greek founders of the events.

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell is demanding the Olympics Committee ban these countries from competing, on the ground that their policies violate the Olympics Charter.

Although this is unlikely to happen, the fight is not lost. To battle homophobia in the Olympics, The Gay Games was set-up in the early 80s by 1968 decathlete Tom Waddell. It is now the biggest non-discriminating sports tournament in the world.

The organisation has several gay sporting heroes on its ambassadors board, including Winter Olympics star Blake Skjellerup (who admitted he didn’t come out before the Vancouver 2010 Games because he was concerned it might affect his sponsorship).

This summer it is running Pride House in Limehouse, which aims to provide a place to
“celebrate sport for all, while uniting members and friends of the worldwide LGBT community”.

The Limehouse base [at CA House] is a step down from the original ambition [of a commercial promoter] to have the second largest Olympic house at this year’s Games.

Organisers [of the original project] blamed a lack of sponsorship, but were undeterred by the set-back and [the new group organising Pride House] insist the downsized Pride House is ready to make a big noise from August 3-7. There will also be a Pride House Festival, running at the venue itself and throughout London from August 3-12.

Gay Games ambassador and world champion power-lifter Chris Morgan told Scout: “The Olympics has a bad track record with acceptance, so it’s important that we support the handful of gay athletes out there.”

Visitors to Pride House will be cheering on the three openly gay Team GB athletes competing in this year’s Games: equestrian Carl Hester, para-equestrian Lee Pearson and Paralympics volleyball player Clare Harvey.

But they’re not the only ones from the LGBT community who’ll be in the spotlight. Commentator Bob Ballard and TV top gun Claire Balding will be among the BBC’s gay anchors.

[...]


Read in full HERE.

Chris Morgan's Gay Games VII diary: 6 July 2006

Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan shared his experience at Gay Games VII in Chicago in 2006.

Thursday 6th to Thursday 13th July, Acclimatising:

I've already been in Chicago for a whole week, acclimatising and adjusting my body clock. Training is going well. Quad's gym in Boys Town is an amazing facility, with a great atmosphere and equipment for bodybuilders and power lifters.

I'm already calling upon valuable experience gained at the World Championships in Atlanta in 2004, and so far things are looking good. My body clock has turned around nicely and my energy levels are highly reasonable.

Earlier in the week... I attended the offices of Chicago 2006 and witnessed first hand the commitment of the Gay Games staff and volunteers. The whole place was buzzing with excitement, everyone is working extremely hard to deliver the Games on time.

To see these wheels in motion is truly ... inspirational.

Chris Morgan, diversity poster boy

Prism is the internal diversity program for LGBT staff at BNY Mellon.

Chris Morgan takes new world title

Congratulations to Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan!

Chris Morgan, the current Gay Games Powerlifting champion has this weekend won his fifth world championship title.

He was lifting in the World Deadlift Championships held in Autun, France where he made lifts of 202.5 kg followed by 220 kg and then 240 kg to win the World Open title in the 82.5-kg class.

Speaking about the competition, Chris said:

‘I’m delighted to have won my fifth world championship title here in France this weekend. This is the first time in my fourteen-year career that I’ve held British Open, European Open, World Open and Gay Games titles all at the same time. This special moment seems ironic considering that only two weeks ago I almost decided not to compete at all due to a series of injuries’.

‘It was only when viewing an old photograph of the opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 1948 that I changed my mind. The photograph carried the words that sometimes the important thing in the Olympic Games is not the winning, but the taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well’

‘This year we all have an amazing opportunity to participate in sports in some way through the Olympic experiences that are happening around us. Even if you are not competing in the Olympic games there is in fact a way which you can contribute to an equal fairer sports community for all of us’.

‘I’d like to remind you about the UK Government Charter for action against homophobia and transphobia in sports. If you haven't yet signed the charter, please visit the Facebook page [facebook/lgbtsportscharter] or send a message of support to sportscharter@geo.gsi.gov.uk

You'll find a short TV news report (in French) on the competition HERE.

Many in UK think London 2012 not meeting diversity goals; FGG points to responsibility of IOC

From GayStarNews, an analysis of concerns about LOCOG's commitment to LGBT inclusion in the London Olympics, featuring interviews with Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan and FGG VP for external affairs Marc Naimark:

GSN investigates what London’s Olympic organizers have done to involve LGBT people, give them a presence at the games and leave a legacy for gay sport
16 MAY 2012 | BY TRIS REID-SMITH

‘Hard to spot and easy to miss,’ that’s veteran activist Peter Tatchell’s take on the LGBT presence at the London Olympics.

If he’s right, it’ll be a sad irony. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people seem to have been integral to winning the games for London (diversity was a key part of the bid to the International Olympic Committee) and gay individuals and businesses will also play a big role in delivering the games.

But despite the efforts of many in one of the world’s most diverse cities and many more gay sports activists around the globe, there are only a handful of openly gay Olympic and Paralympic competitors due to take part.

And the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), who are in charge of this year’s games, have failed to give Gay Star News any reassurance that LGBT people will have a visible presence at the games.

[...]

Human rights and gay campaigner Peter Tatchell started discussions with the London 2012 Olympic organizers when the bid was won. And he supported LOCOG when it launched pin badges which combine the gay rainbow flag with London’s Olympic and Paralympic logos.

He told GSN: ‘I approached the organizers to ask how they intended to fulfill their promises, not just on LGBT issues but on all diversity strands. I had a series of meetings where we mapped out a whole range of ideas covering LGBT visibility in the opening and closing ceremonies and during the parallel Cultural Olympiad.

‘However since then the only things that have happened have been the pin badges and the recruitment of LGBT volunteers for the games. I am not aware of anything else the Olympic organizers have done or plan to do. It is a huge disappointment. The potential was enormous but the delivery was very weak.

[...]

Tatchell said: ‘The Olympic authorities have made a lot of noise about equality and diversity but haven’t got much to show for it. To the average person the LGBT content of the Olympics will be hard to spot and easy to miss.

‘They have absolutely failed to live up to their promises to the LGBT community and London’s other diverse communities.’

[...]

However the responsibility for gay people taking part in they Olympics and Paralympics themselves also falls on the International Olympic Committee and the national selectors.

Wasley particularly criticized the British team’s bosses for not doing more. The only two openly gay competitors in team GB this year are both in the Paralympics, equestrian Lee Pearson and sitting volleyball player Claire Harvey.

Wasley said: ‘It is just unacceptable that Team GB has only two openly gay athletes.

‘Gay people are taking part in delivering the games but delivering the games and participation are two different things.’

But even with two, Team GB may be outperforming other national sides. While GSN and many others know of other gay competitors who will be taking part this summer, they are not out. The only exceptions most experts can name are Australian diving hero Matthew Mitcham and gymnast Josh Dixon who may be chosen for the US Olympic team.

Marc Naimark, vice president of external affairs for the Federation of Gay Games, feels LOCOG itself can’t be blamed for this problem.

He told us: ‘LOCOG’s is a committee to deliver the Olympics. It is pretty unfair to expect a host committee to change the general outlook and principles of the organization that owns the event which is the International Olympic Committee.

‘They [the IOC] are promoting religious interference in sport. They have yet to take action against Saudi Arabia for excluding women. They have done nothing to promote LGBT participation in sport.’

One thing LOCOG is doing which might help is including LGBT visitor information in the ‘Athletes Guide’ which visiting competitors will receive. It’s the first time that gay and trans information has been officially available – although the details are not yet public.

LOCOG also say they were founder signatories to Government Charter for Action against Homophobia, have hosted Pride Sport events and expressed support for the LGBT the EuroGames.

Naimark said: ‘We take the commitment of LOCOG to diversity very seriously. I know there are people who are dissatisfied. Maybe their expectations were unrealistic. [The London bidding committee] promised an awful lot and perhaps people were a bit naïve in believing all those things were possible. It is very easy to criticize but it is more important to learn what was achieved and how it can be reproduced elsewhere.’

Another disappointment outside of LOCOG’s direct remit is the failure of London to host a Pride House. The idea of having a gay, bi and trans hub for the games originates from the last winter Olympics in Vancouver. However, despite much hype, organizers for 2012’s Pride House dropped plans for a festival on south London’s Clapham Common, saying they weren’t able to get the necessary commercial funding.

The 2012 Pride House team is still reported to be trying to set something up, but there has been no confirmation yet.

‘Much of our contact [with LOCOG] has been about a Pride House,’ says Naimark. ‘We were really keen that a Pride House would take place and that it would be aimed at the athletes. We still hope that something will happen.’

With plans for a Pride House at Russia’s Winter Olympics in 2014 being blocked by homophobic judges – although activists still want to go ahead with it – it’s too early to tell if the Vancouver’s initiative will be the last, as well as the first, of it’s kind.

[...]

For some gay people, the Olympics will be a triumph whatever the level of LGBT involvement.

Clare Balding, an openly lesbian sports commentator who will be BBC TV’s female anchor for the games, has already given her endorsement, telling the annual Stonewall dinner: ‘I firmly believe these London Olympics and Paralympics will be the most gay friendly ever.’

Others, like Stonewall and Tatchell, are critical, feeling that Britain’s investment in the Olympics has failed to deliver a games which celebrate the diversity of a country which has become a beacon for LGBT rights around the world.

Others still, are cautious in their praise but look to a better future.

Chris Morgan, a world champion powerlifter and Gay Games ambassador, said LOCOG had impressed him with its pin badges linking the London Olympics with the rainbow flag.

He said: ‘It is only a simple gesture but the significance of the Olympic Games allowing that to happen was huge.’

He hopes that London will win its bid to host the Gay Games in 2018 delivering, by the back door, an LGBT Olympic legacy after all.

Read in full HERE.

Gay sports clubs: A global force

Hat tip to Chris Morgan for this story in Gay Star News:

Gay Star News talks to LGBT sports clubs around the world and finds that it’s time to grease up and get involved
27 MARCH 2012 | BY GARETH JOHNSON

Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan has recently produced a timeline tracing the history of LGBT sport in the UK. While Morgan’s research has identified a number of individuals who have excelled at their sports throughout the years, it was not until the 1970s that the first LGBT sports clubs began to form, with running, swimming and tennis among the first to establish dedicated gay and lesbian teams.

The first Gay Games, held in San Francisco in 1982, were a further catalyst for communities to come together and form clubs that created safe and supportive environments for gay men and lesbians to pursue their love of sport. For Dr Tom Waddell, the founding father of the Gay Games movement, the Gay Games were designed to: ‘bring a global community together in friendship, to experience participation... [and] to dispel the prevailing attitudes in sport regarding ageism, sexism and racism.'

It’s difficult to get a handle on exactly how many LGBT sports clubs there now are around the world, but Chris Morgan’s research demonstrates that since the 1980s new clubs have continued to be established in every conceivable sport.

Like any community-based activity, establishing an LGBT sports club is hard work, takes an enormous amount of energy and requires a number of passionate people to give the club focus and momentum.

Making a club sustainable beyond that initial core group of people is equally challenging and it’s not uncommon for clubs to have a short lifespan if they have been unable to build a strong membership base or the infrastructure required for future growth.

Keep reading HERE.

Chris Morgan video message for Football v Homophobia

In this interview with Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan, Chris speaks of the importance of the Gay Games for his own sporting career and for LGBT athletes in general.

Chris Morgan's tribute to Justin Fashanu for Football v Homophobia

Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan has written a moving tribute to Justin Fashanu for this month's Football v Homophobia:

I remember seeing the newspapers during the week after Justin’s death and feeling sick to stomach. There were graphic accounts of his last movements and interviews with people who had met him, or spent time with him in his final hours.

The press hounded him throughout his career, drove him to suicide and then afterwards printed some of the cruellest, nastiest stories ever published in the UK newspapers. As an athlete myself I felt angry that Justin was never allowed to meet his true potential on the pitch.

At the time all this happened I was just coming to terms with my own sexuality and was taking my first steps towards a career in sport. I realised that I was faced with a choice of whether or not to be open about my sexuality in the brutal and testosterone driven sport of Powerlifting.

Keep reading HERE.

Chris Morgan produces UK LGBT sport timeline

Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan has produced a great piece of work for the UK LGBT History Project, whose theme for 2012 is sport. He has put together a timeline of key moments in LGBT sport in Britain, with his work being turned into a fabulous poster by Jonathan Harbourne.

Thanks to Chris and Jonathan, and Sue and everyone else involved in UK LGBT History Project and the UK LGBT History Month, which takes place in February

Chris Morgan at launch of UK LGBT History Month

Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan signs the UK Charter Against Homophobia in Sport on behalf of the Justin Campaign, at today's launch at the Oval in London of the UK LGBT History Month, which in 2012 will again focus on sport.

Gay Games Ambassador wins European championship

Chris Morgan wins European championship gold and Best Lifter award

Chris Morgan, the current Gay Games Powerlifting champion, has won his first World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation European Championship Gold medal, plus his first ‘International’ Best Lifter Award at this year’s European Deadlift Championships.

He was lifting in the competition held in Volka, Estonia and made lifts of 215 kilos, 240 kilos and then a lifetime best of 265 kilos at a bodyweight of 81.4 kilos to take the overall pound for pound title.

Speaking about the competition, Chris said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to have won my first European Gold Medal and more importantly my first International Best Lifter title. I can’t quite believe that after winning six british titles and four world titles during my career that this is my first European Championship win’.

Chris added: ‘After nearly a year of injury and illness I was beginning to worry that I may never have the opportunity to finish my collection of World and European Medals. This now means I have Gold, Silver and Bronze medals from both World and European Championships’.

Downing Street reception will focus on LGBT sport and the fight against homophobia in sport

Among those invited are Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan and representatives from FGG member organizations Pride Sports and Out for Sport, as well as from the bid committee for Gay Games 2018. More from PinkNews:

Prime minister David Cameron is to host a reception at Downing Street for the gay community tomorrow evening.

The event will focus on tackling homophobia in sport and invitees will include gay and lesbian sports stars, campaigners and celebrities.

Sportsmen Gareth Thomas, Steven Davies and Ben Cohen are all expected to have been invited, along with community leaders and volunteers from across the country.

One prominent gay rights figure who won’t be there is Peter Tatchell. The activist has never received an invitation to Downing Street, despite being one of Britain’s best known gay rights campaigners. Mr Tatchell said: “It is a bit odd but they must have their reasons. Maybe I’m too much of a troublemaker. I’m sure I would turn up and be on my best behaviour.” A Downing Street source said: “There are lots of people who haven’t been invited.”

Organisers hoped that prominent footballers would be among the invitees. However, this is the traditional footballers’ ‘holiday season’ and many are not in the country. Instead, some ‘older faces’ from the footballing world are expected to attend, along with chief executives from sports associations.

LGBT receptions in Downing Street began in 2009 when Gordon Brown was prime minister. Mr Cameron has continued the tradition. At last year’s reception, he promised the crowd the coalition government would change the law to allow religious buildings to host civil partnership ceremonies.

---

Also invited is:

SHEFFIELD Eagles boss Mark Aston will be sitting down to dinner with David Cameron at No 10 Downing Street tomorrow night. Aston has been invited by the Prime Minister to recognise the Eagles’ leading role in the game’s stand against homophobia in sport.

The Eagles wore specially-designed shirts with the slogan ‘Homophobia: Tackle It!’ in their game against Widnes Vikings earlier this season. “I’ve been invited by the Prime Minister to join a number of other chief executives of clubs, mainly from the Super League,” said Aston, Eagles head coach and chief executive. “I’m very pleased to be asked because it recognises the work Sheffield Eagles have done in tackling homophobia.

En français / Un champion du monde de force athlétique au char de la FSGL lors de la Marche des fiertés

Chris Morgan, présent avec la FSGL lors de la Marche des fiertés de Paris
Le champion du monde de force athlétique sera aux côtés des sportifs et sportives français le 25 juin

Chris Morgan, champion du monde, du Royaume Uni, et des Gay Games en force athlétique, prendra part de la Marche des fiertés 2011 à Paris, aux côtés des membres de la Fédération sportive gaie et lesbienne (FSGL). Chris Morgan est également Ambassadeur de la Fédération internationale des Gay Games, dont fait partie la FSGL.

Au cours de sa carrière, Chris a remporté le titre de champion du monde quatre fois, et a été titré six fois champion du Royaume Uni. Presqu’un an après avoir remporté sa sixième médaille d’or aux Gay Games lors des jeux de Cologne, Chris Morgan affichera son soutien au sport LGBT en traversant le Manche pour accompagner les sportifs et sportives de la FSGL sur leur char portant la devise de la Fédération : Contre toutes les discriminations, faisons du sport ensemble. 

A propos de ce voyage, Chris Morgan a declare : “J’avais prévu de venir à Paris lors du Tournoi international de Paris plus tôt au mois de juin, mais à la dernière minute l’Open d’Allemagne de ma fédé [la World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation] a été reprogrammé pour ce même week-end. Je devais y participer pour préparer les prochains championnats d‘Europe qui se dérouleront en Estonie, donc je n’ai pas pu venir au TIP. Mais je tenais beaucoup néanmoins à venir à Paris cette année pour soutenir la FSGL. Je suis donc ravi d’avoir été invité à fêter la Marche des fiertés avec mes amis français.”

Chris Morgan a ajouté : “En tant que sportif qui participe à la fois au sport ‘traditionnel’ et au sport LGBT, je suis impressionné par les efforts de la FSGL pour bâtir des ponts entre ces deux milieux. Je pense que c’est important pour élargir les opportunités compétitives des sportifs gais et lesbiennes, et pour changer les attitudes du sport ‘mainstream’.

Christelle Foucault, la présidente de la FSGL, a signalé sa satisfaction : “Nous sommes ravis d’avoir Chris parmi nous cette année. C’est un grand champion et un porte-parole exceptionnel pour le sport LGBT. Nous avons fait un effort particulier en direction du sport de haut niveau cette année, avec nos parrains du TIP, Marielle Bousquet, titulaire de l’équipe de France de volley, et Romain Mesnil, un champion du saut à la perche, et maintenant Chris Morgan, un autre grand champion qui nous rejoint pour la Marche des fiertés.”

www.fsgl.org

Gay Games Ambassador to join FGG member FSGL for Paris Gay Pride

Chris Morgan to join FGG member FSGL at Paris Gay Pride
World champion powerlifter to join hundreds of French athletes in 25 June event

Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan, the current British, World and Gay Games powerlifting champion, will be participating in this year’s Paris Gay Pride alongside members of Fédération sportive gaie et lesbienne (FSGL), a member organization of the Federation of Gay Games.

During his career Chris has won the World Championship four times, the British championship six times, and nearly one year after taking his sixth gold medals in Powerlifting at Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany, Chris Morgan will be showing his support for LGBT sport by crossing the Channel from his home in England to stand alongside the athletes of FSGL member clubs and ride on their float, which will be promoting the slogan of the federation: “Against all forms of discrimination, let’s play sport together”.

Morgan stated: “I had planned to come to Paris for their TIP annual multisport tournament earlier in June, but at the last minute the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation’s German Open was rescheduled for the same weekend. I needed to participate in this event to prepare for the forthcoming European Championships in Estonia, so I had to miss the TIP. But I really wanted to come to Paris this year and support the FSGL, so I’m delighted to have been invited to join them for the Gay Pride parade.”

He continued: “As an athlete who participates in both elite mainstream sport and LGBT sport, I am particularly interested by the FSGL’s efforts to build bridges between these communities. I think this is important both for improving the range of competitive opportunities for gay and lesbian athletes, and for changing attitudes in mainstream sport.”

Christelle Foucault, president of the FSGL, added: “We are delighted to have Chris here this year. He is a great champion, and an outstanding advocate for LGBT sport. We are very pleased with our outreach to elite athletes this year, with Marielle Bousquet, a member of the French national volleyball team, and Romain Mesnil, vice-champion pole vaulter, as patrons of the TIP, and now Chris Morgan, another world champion athlete, joining us for the Gay Pride.”

www.fsgl.org

Chris Morgan successfully defends British title

News from Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan:

Just finished the British 'Single Event' Championships here in Ipswich and successfully defended my British 'Open' title. 200, 230 and 250 kilos in the deadlift and secured the overall best lifter trophy for the second year running. Well done to all lifters taking part and especially those who qualified for this year's internationals.

Congrats to Chris!

FGG Ambassador Chris Morgan announces retirement from competition

Chris Morgan competing in the Deadlift at Gay Games VIII

Chris Morgan, the three-time World ‘Open’ Powerlifting champion and Gay Games Ambassador, has announced his retirement from three-lift Powerlifting at the Gay Games in Cologne. He made this announcement after participating in the Gay Games VIII Powerlifting event, where he added another Gay Games Gold medal to his collection.

He competed on the opening day of the Games on Sunday 1st August, and made lifts of 215 kilos in Squat, 110 kilos in Bench Press and 252.5 kilos in Deadlift, for a meet total of 577.5 kilos, giving him the gold in the 82.5-kilo ‘Open’ class.

During his career Chris has won a total of three World Open Gold Medals, five British Championship titles and six Gay Games gold medals, plus several other national and international titles. Chris plans to compete in the Deadlift at the European ‘Single Event’ Championships in Malta this coming October. He will then making a final decision on whether to continue competing in ‘Single Event’ competitions over the next couple of years, whilst developing his coaching career.

Chris said: ‘It was exactly twelve years ago today, on the 2nd of August 1998, that I participated in my first Gay Games in Amsterdam 1998 and won that shiny Silver medal that set me on the way to a career in international sport. After careful consideration I’ve decided to make the Gay Games, the event where I started out, the end of my competitive career in full Powerlifting competitions. I’d like to take the opportunity of thanking the Federation of Gay Games for their support and inspiration throughout my career and acknowledge the huge influence this organisation has made on my life. It’s been a huge honour to be one of the Gay Games Ambassadors here at the Gay Games Cologne 2010.’

With regard to his future competitions, Chris added: ‘I’m certainly going to compete in the European ‘Single Event’ Championship in Malta this coming October and then make a further decision about continuing in ‘Single Event’ competitions for possibly a further couple of years. My intention is to finish competing completely before reaching masters age. I’ve recently started my coaching career as a ‘Strength Specialist’ at an English professional rugby club. This is an exciting opportunity which is allowing me to work with an extremely talented group of young players. I'll have more to say on this in the near future’.

FGG co-president Kurt Dahl responded to this news: 'Chris Morgan has been an outstanding Ambassador for the Gay Games. We are fortunate to have on our list of distinguished athletes, artists, and other dignataries a man with such a remarkable career in mainstream and LGBT competitive sport, and are proud that his career began in the Gay Games. The Gay Games are the largest sporting event in the world open to all, from novices to elite athletes. With Chris, we have living proof that one can go from novice to elite status right here at the Gay Games. We look forward to continuing to work with Chris as an Ambassador and in support of future Gay Games Powerlifting events.'

Chris Morgan visits FGG booth

Proudly bearing his gold medal from Gay Games VIII powerlifting, world champion and FGG Ambassador Chris Morgan paid a visit to the FGG booth yesterday. Chris is seen here with FGG board member Martyn Pickup and fellow Berliner, Thomas Rogat, FGG delegate from Vorspiel Berlin.

Chris Morgan profile in Mate Magazine

Find out where to find Mate Magazine HERE.

Chris Morgan profile in Windy City Times

Chris Morgan, known worldwide as "Chunky" and arguably the best openly gay powerlifter ever, is primed for this summer's Gay Games in Cologne, Germany.

He's gunning for his personal best.

"At my three previous Gay Games, I've won medals, but have never actually lifted my best weights," said Morgan, who has claimed six medals at the Games ( five Gold, one Silver ) . "There have been good reasons [ for not lifting my best at past Games, ] such as [ an ] injury in 2002 and jet-lag in 2006. So, with the Games being in Europe, it's a major opportunity to put this issue to rest."

Morgan, 37, now lives in Devon in the southwest of England. He moved there last year from London "in an attempt to close my career out in style," he said.

Continue reading HERE.

RealJock interview of Chris Morgan

RealJock has just published a great interview with FGG Ambassador and world powerlifting champion Chris Morgan. Here's an extract:

What do the Gay Games mean to you?
It’s where I started my career. I believe I’m the only Gay Games athlete ever to have moved on to win world medals in their chosen sport. It’s a huge honour to represent the Federation of Gay Games as one of their global ambassadors.

Tell us a little more about that first Gay Games for you, in 1998?
It was magical in the sense that I’d lost a rugby career through injury and Gay Games gave me a second chance. It had not occurred to me that I could still compete after coming out as a gay man and to be given the chance to learn a new sport in a ‘safe’ environment changed my life. Twelve years on and I’m still winning world medals and visiting amazing countries doing something that I really enjoy.


Read the full interview HERE.