Compete Proud team up with Outsports to champion inclusion in sport
Los Angeles – June 26th, 2025
Today, we are proud to announce a partnership between Compete Proud and Outsports, the global leader in LGBTQ sports journalism.
A new chapter: Outsports × Compete Proud
This collaboration will focus on:
- Elevating athlete stories and role models from underrepresented communities
- Behind-the-scenes features at Pride Houses and other major inclusive sporting events
- Joint digital campaigns, interviews, and social storytelling
- Ongoing collaboration on events, research, and advocacy in the lead-up to Milano 2026 and LA 2028
Together, we aim to build bridges between the media and the athlete communities we serve—amplifying the voices that are too often unheard in the world of sport.
“What excites me most about Compete Proud is how it brings together voices from around the world—athletes, organisers, and advocates—into one shared mission,” Mitcham said. “We’re not just changing sport; we’re reshaping what inclusion looks like on a global stage.”
At its core, Compete Proud is about belonging. It’s about ensuring that every athlete knows they are valued—not in spite of who they are, but because of who they are. With partners like Outsports, federations, and passionate individuals around the world, we’re building a future where every athlete can live and compete proud.
Compete Proud was born from the desire of Olympian Javier Raya to build LGBTQ inclusion first in figure skating, and now across sports.
In 2016, I became the first openly gay athlete in Spain to come out while still competing. At the time, it felt like a leap into the unknown—but the support I received from fellow athletes, fans, and the broader LGBTIQ+ community was overwhelming. That moment of visibility changed my life. And more importantly, it inspired me to give back.
After coming out, I began working closely with LGBTIQ+ associations in Madrid, and later in Toronto, where I was living and training. I had the chance to collaborate with the Canadian Olympic Committee and other advocacy groups focused on sport and inclusion. Slowly but surely, my post-competitive career began to take shape—not on the ice, but in the broader fight for equity in sport.
From Skate Proud to Compete Proud
In 2020, I launched Skate Proud, a community platform designed to elevate LGBTIQ+ voices in figure skating. The impact was immediate: it resonated with athletes, clubs, and federations around the world. That momentum sparked a bigger vision.
In 2021, I joined the International Olympic Committee’s Young Leaders Programme, a four-year initiative that supports young changemakers in sport. With their training and funding, I created Compete Proud—a digital DEI platform and sport association focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of sport: from grassroots to the Olympic stage.
A vision launched in Pride
We officially launched Compete Proud in June 2022, and from day one, I was fortunate to have two inspirational Olympians by my side: Nikki Symmons and Matthew Mitcham. Their wisdom and advocacy have helped shape Compete Proud’s mission as both ambassadors and founding team members.
At Compete Proud, we work to ensure that athletes from all backgrounds feel seen, supported and safe in sport. This work isn’t seasonal—it’s a daily commitment.
Since its launch, Compete Proud has delivered webinars, workshops, educational resources, and inclusive programming for athletes, federations, and corporate partners. We also cultivate a growing network of athlete ambassadors who champion visibility and inclusion from within their own communities.
Creating safe spaces in sport
One of our proudest achievements has been our role in co-creating inclusive spaces at major international events, including Pride House Paris 2024 and the upcoming EuroGames Lyon 2025. These events are more than symbolic—they’re spaces where athletes and allies come together to connect, reflect, and celebrate authenticity in sport.
“Sport should be a space where everyone belongs—regardless of their gender identity, orientation, or background,” Symmons told me. “That’s why I’m so proud to be part of Compete Proud and its mission to build safe, inclusive communities for athletes everywhere.”
Looking ahead, Compete Proud is actively working with partners across the globe to support Pride House initiatives at Milano Cortina 2026 and Pride House LA/West Hollywood in 2028, and to continue delivering impact at the intersection of sport and social change.