Proud Champions: A New Chapter for Inclusion in Sport
Paris – September 10th, 2025
One year after the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Compete Proud and Fier-Play have joined forces to launch Proud Champions, a European network of LGBTIQ+ athletes and allies committed to building a sporting world where everyone can be themselves.
Born in the wake of Pride House · Paris 2024, Proud Champions builds on its legacy of respect, diversity and pride. The project aims to transform that momentum into a lasting movement that connects, supports and celebrates athletes who stand for inclusion and equality.
“You can be more yourself when you feel safe,” said Eric Radford, Olympic figure-skating champion and one of the first athletes to join the network. “That’s the kind of environment we want to help create for every athlete.”
From Pride House to Proud Champions
The idea for Proud Champions emerged from the conversations and connections formed during Pride House · Paris 2024 – a unique space where sport and inclusion came together during the Games.
Recognising how many athletes were still seeking community and visibility, Fier-Play and Compete Proud decided to extend that spirit beyond Paris 2024. Together, they envisioned a network that would bring together LGBTIQ+ athletes and allies from across Europe, offering them a platform to share their experiences, learn from one another and promote a culture of respect throughout sport.
“Our goal is to ensure that the values of Pride House – respect, visibility and pride – continue long after the Games,” said Javier Raya OLY, Founder and Managing Director of Compete Proud. “Through Proud Champions, we want to empower athletes to use their voice, connect across disciplines, and find pride in their diversity.”
A Launch Full of Pride, Purpose and People
The official launch took place on 10 September 2025 at “Fier-Play fait son show”, a solidarity evening held at Rosa Bonheur des Buttes Chaumont in Paris. The event brought together athletes, advocates and representatives from the sports movement who share a vision for a more inclusive sporting culture.
Among those participating in the round-table discussions were Olympic champions and medalists Charline Van Snick, Jérémy Stravius, Astrid Guyart and Eric Radford, who reflected on their journeys and the importance of creating spaces where athletes can express their identities freely.
“Seeing athletes from so many disciplines come together – from rugby and judo to figure skating – shows that inclusion is a shared value,” said Frédérique Vidal, President of Fier-Play. “With Proud Champions, we are turning visibility into collective power.”
The evening combined heartfelt testimonies, lively discussion and celebration, reflecting both organisations’ belief that inclusion in sport begins with dialogue but grows through community.
One Network, Many Voices
Proud Champions welcomes athletes and sport professionals at every level, from grassroots to elite, through three categories of membership designed to reflect different levels of engagement and visibility:
- Proud Champions Athletes – LGBTIQ+ or allied athletes who wish to join a supportive community that promotes respect and solidarity.
- Role Models – LGBTIQ+ athletes who share their journeys to inspire others and serve as positive examples within their disciplines.
- Ambassadors – Athletes who represent the network publicly and use their platform to advocate for inclusion in sport.
Members will benefit from regular in-person and online meetings, professional workshops, and a secure digital platform designed to facilitate networking and mutual support. A dedicated directory of professionals – including doctors, psychologists and lawyers – will also be available to help athletes access trusted advice and care in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Why It Matters
While sport has the power to unite people, many LGBTIQ+ athletes still face exclusion or invisibility. Recent studies show that:
- 77% of French people believe the professional sports world remains prone to homophobia (Ipsos, 2023).
- 66% of LGBTIQ+ people hide their identity on the field or in the locker room (Sport Inclusion Europe, 2022).
Proud Champions responds to this reality by creating a space where pride becomes a strength, support can be found, and inspiration flows through shared stories. By connecting athletes across disciplines and borders, the network seeks to foster a generation of role models who prove that authenticity and performance can thrive together.
“We want Proud Champions to be a concrete tool for change — a network that truly supports athletes, not just symbolically but in their day-to-day lives,” said Jérémy Goupille, General Manager of Fier-Play. “By combining visibility, training, and peer support, we aim to make inclusion in sport both real and sustainable.”
The Team Behind Proud Champions
The project is led by an experienced team that bridges sport, advocacy and community work:
- Frédérique Vidal, President of Fier-Play
- Jérémy Goupille, General Manager of Fier-Play
- Javier Raya OLY, Founder and President of Compete Proud, Olympian figure skater
- Nikki Symmons, Global Partnership Lead at Compete Proud and Irish international hockey player
Together, they bring a shared commitment to advancing equality in sport through collaboration, visibility and education.
“Proud Champions is more than a network — it’s a living legacy,” said Nikki Symmons, Global Partnership Lead at Compete Proud. “It represents the courage of athletes who choose authenticity, the strength of allies who stand beside them, and the collective belief that sport can drive lasting change.”
Continuing the Legacy
Proud Champions stands as a direct legacy of Pride House · Paris 2024, reaffirming that the Olympic and Paralympic Games can be catalysts for lasting social change. By nurturing dialogue between athletes, associations and institutions, the initiative contributes to a broader movement for equality across the Olympic ecosystem and beyond.
Through concrete actions, shared resources and inspiring testimonials, Proud Champions aims to shape a sporting culture where every athlete feels seen, respected and celebrated – not despite their identity, but because of it.
Join the Network
Athletes, coaches and sport professionals who wish to contribute to a more inclusive and respectful sporting environment are invited to join the network.
Find out more at www.proudchampions.eu
Partners: Compete Proud and Fier-Play
Press contacts: info@competeproud.com and contact@fier-play.fr
