Triathlete Chris Mosier wrote an open letter that sums up our belief in sport as a catalyst for conversation, change and taking action:
“Throughout my career, I’ve had people telling me I can’t do it. That it would never be possible for me to be competitive against men.
Every step of the way, I had to drown out their voices. I had to have an unshakeable belief in myself.
I also had to have an incredible community of people around me. Supporting me every step of the way. Speaking up when people misgendered me or said hurtful things. Letting me know that it wasn’t something I did wrong, but a reflection of the person saying it.
I was fortunate to have that support, but a lot of athletes don’t, and sport can still be a challenging space for many people. That’s why I’d love to see more straight and cisgender athletes come out as allies to the LGBTQIA+ community. Standing up for every athlete’s right to be who they are and play the sport they love, without compromising any part of themselves.
So if there’s one thing I can say to every athlete who’s reading this — If you don’t see someone out there doing what you want to do, go out and be that person. And if you can support someone who’s fighting for their space in sport, do it. We have unlimited courage and opportunities when we work together, so never underestimate the impact we can have on the world when we treat each other’s victories as our own … And never forget, it doesn’t matter what you play, what you’ve achieved, or where you’re headed next, you don’t have to do it alone.”
– Chris Mosier
