By Jody O'Callaghan 19:00, Apr 26 2023
A new sporting event aimed to provide a safe space for competitors of all sexual orientations, gender identities, ages and skill levels could pave way for Aotearoa to host the World “Gay Olympics”.
Read this story in te reo Māori and English here. / Pānuitia tēnei i te reo Māori me te reo Pākehā ki konei.
Registrations in 14 different sports are now open for the Rainbow Games at Trusts Arena and surrounding Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland venues from April 4-8, 2024.
The inclusive event has been praised by ambassadors like former and first openly gay All Black Campbell Johnstone and former Black Fern captain Honey Hireme-Smiler, as division simmers within sporting bodies about whether transgender female competitors should be allowed to participate.
Event director Tom Leonard said the games came about after an unsuccessful bid was made for Auckland to host the more than 10,000-participant World Gay Games – “which is like the Gay Olympics” – three years ago.
