As part of the International Day Against LGBTQ+ Phobia in Sports, myGwork and Compete Proud presented the event ‘Olímpicxs’ and the campaign “Playing Equal”, aiming to unite and promote the values of sports—such as effort, personal growth, and teamwork—alongside the benefits of LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The event, titled ‘Olímpicxs: Playing Equal’, took place at The Social Hub, becoming a space for inspiration and action that brought together key voices from the sports world and the LGBTQ+ community to reflect on how to build more equitable, discrimination-free environments.

Andrea Chao, Director of The Social Hub Madrid, officially opened the event, stating:

“More than just an event, this is a statement of principles.”

She also emphasized the importance of corporate leadership taking a stand:

“There must be a commitment at this level to ensure that discrimination has no place.”

One of the main highlights of the event was a panel featuring renowned figures:

• David Velduque – Film director and creator/host of the podcast Sabor a Queer
• Gema Hassen-Bey – Paralympic athlete, medalist, and LGBTQ+ role model
• Javier Raya – Olympic athlete and founder of Compete Proud, an organization promoting inclusion in sports
• Miguel Ángel Rodríguez – Representative of Haleon’s ERG

Velduque underscored the significance of the International Day Against LGBTQ+ Phobia in Sports, a date that commemorates the birthday of Justin Fashanu, the first professional footballer to publicly come out as gay. Unfortunately, Fashanu was unable to overcome the severe harassment he faced after revealing his sexual orientation and tragically took his own life.

Olympian Javier Raya highlighted:

“As athletes, we have the ability—and in many ways, the responsibility—to share our experiences and create safe, inclusive spaces through education and awareness. In both sports and corporate environments, there are countless opportunities to drive change and foster diversity and inclusion, ensuring that everyone plays on equal terms.”

Paralympian Gema Hassen-Bey shared:

“As a woman, a Paralympic athlete, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have faced many challenges throughout my life. In sports, as in life, we don’t all start from the same place, which is why we must keep working together to ensure equal opportunities for everyone.”

From a business perspective, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, representative of Haleon’s ERG, reinforced the corporate commitment to diversity:

“We see health as sustainable, accessible, and inclusive—and closely linked to sports. Diversity initiatives make companies more competitive, foster growth by incorporating diverse perspectives, and allow us to reach more people.”

The closing remarks, delivered by Miguel Garzón, Director for Iberia and Latin America at myGwork, were a call to action for companies and institutions to create safe spaces and equal opportunities using sports as a tool.

How? By:

• Giving LGBTQ+ elite athletes a platform to share their personal experiences and messages of resilience
• Supporting LGBTQ+ sports clubs, where respect and values go hand in hand with teamwork, celebrating differences as victories
• Backing events that rely on corporate sponsorships to amplify the voices of diverse communities—just like the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

During his speech, Garzón emphasized:

“This movement is a wave that begins here, on this significant date, but must continue throughout the year with the support of the organizations present today. HR leaders and ERGs play a key role in ensuring that progress doesn’t stop here.”

‘Olímpicxs’ aims to break down barriers and demonstrate that diversity is a strength—in both sports and professional life. The event was made possible thanks to the support of Haleon through one of its most recognized brands, Voltadol, as well as a significant number of representatives from major companies, institutions, and professionals from various industries committed to fostering workplaces where everyone can work and compete on equal terms, free from discrimination.