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Amazin LeThi

‘Thrilled to blaze trails as the first Asian athlete ambassador for Pride House Paris 2024 Olympics, my commitment is unwavering in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Partnering with Pride House, I’ll fiercely advocate for LGBTQ equality at the Olympic Games. As a proud visible, queer, Asian athlete, I aspire to ignite a spark in fellow Asian athletes, urging them to embrace authenticity both on and off the playing field’

Amazin LeThi is a global LGBTQ icon, celebrated for her global impact as a speaker, LGBTQ advocate, athlete, and leader in cultural change and social justice. As an unrivalled Asian LGBTQ Athlete with over seven international LGBTQ sports ambassador roles, she fearlessly dismantles barriers. Recognised by over 30 international organisations, including the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD, Amazin earned the title of Honorary Citizen of the State of Georgia for her impactful advocacy and community work in the South. Forbes magazine spotlighted her during ‘Asian Pacific Islander Heritage’ month, identifying her as one of the top six Asian women to watch.

A luminary in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Amazin LeThi commands attention as a sought-after guest speaker, advisor, and consultant for Fortune 500 companies, governments, and global entities. Her influence spans from the White House to The Prince’s Trust, where she guides advocacy across human rights, DEI strategies, sports, and LGBTQ rights. A catalyst for cultural metamorphosis, her compelling dialogues unveil a profound journey from homelessness to a global LGBTQ icon. Pioneering both Asian and LGBTQ equality, she played a pivotal role in President Biden’s ‘Out For Biden’ 2020 campaign as their digital advisor for LGBTQ and Asian communications, reinforcing a message of inclusivity and transformative change.

In 2023, Amazin asserted her narrative in Florence Schechter’s debut book ‘V,’ published by Penguin Books, solidifying her as a prominent voice in the global conversation on equality and inclusion. In 2024, Amazin became the first Asian ambassador for Pride House Paris 2024 Olympics.

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Edênia Nogueira Garcia

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Javier Raya

“I’m truly excited for this collaboration with Pride House to come to life and for my project Compete Proud to have a real impact. It’s unique that the team will take part in such an amazing opportunity, bringing closer to the Games the conversation around diversity and inclusion in sport.”

Former Figure Skater. Olympian. IOC Young Leader. Founder of Compete Proud.

Javier Raya is an Olympic figure skater from Spain. He has competed at the highest international level for over 15 years, being finalist at Europeans and World Championships. With a media and communications education background, he works closely with sport institutions and athletes. Javier is passionate to develop diversity and inclusion within the sport.

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Louïz

“As an artist I have always been committed to the LGBTQIA+ community. To be able to be an ambassador for the PRIDE HOUSE is an honor for me because it’s important that our community can be represented and have an inclusive and safe space during the Olympic Games, a landmark event of the year 2024 in France. I’m very proud to be able to contribute my little stone to the beautiful edifice that will be PRIDE HOUSE FRANCE”.

Louïz is a transgender artist and activist from Reunion Island. A committed singer-dancer-actress, she regularly uses her art to bring visibility to the LGBTQIA+ community. Her documentary film Louïz de l’Évolution à la [R]Évolution is available for streaming on MYCANAL, the CANAL+ platform. His book “PAPILLON” published by City Éditions has been available in bookshops since November 2023.

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Matthew Mitcham

“I’m looking forward to connecting with other LGBTIQ+ athletes on and off the field. I hope to inspire and empower them with my story, and contribute to this initiative that provides a safe space for them”

An 18-year career in the demanding sport of Diving is a notable feat in itself, but Matthew is one of the very few athletes to complete the golden trifecta by winning the Olympic Games (2008), World Cup (2010) and Commonwealth Games (2014).
Matthew’s win in Beijing 2008 will forever stand out in history, not just for achieving the single highest dive score in Olympic history, but in coming out before his Olympic debut, he became the first ever openly gay Olympic Champion.

Since winning Gold in Beijing, Matthew has gone on to use his platform as an ambassador, speaker, and entertainer to advocate for issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing and the LGBTQIA+ community.

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Michael Gunning

Next up is former international swimmer and media host Michael Gunning. He has represented both Jamaica and Great Britain throughout his 16-year, medal-winning career, which includes 8 national records, 3 British titles, and 2 world swimming championships. Gunning is also the first openly gay swimmer in the UK and is a named Patron for the Kaleidoscope Trust, fighting for equal rights around the world.

“Sport is a better place when everyone can be their true authentic self, and I’m forever grateful for all the support that’s shaped me into the athlete and person I am today. The Olympics has an amazing way of bringing people together and will unite diverse cultures that allow us to inspire, celebrate and empower authenticity. I am excited and honoured to work with Pride House in the lead-up to Paris 2024, and I cannot wait to show everyone around the world that anything is possible.”

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Nikki Ayers Ply

My journey has not always been positive and easy. As a child being very active I had no high profile out sporting role models to look up to and know it was ok to be gay, play sport and be successful. I commit to raising awareness and providing education on why inclusion of the rainbow community is vital for all. I commit to be being a positive Pride House Ambassador for the rainbow community striving for inclusion.

Nikki Ayers PLY, Australian Paralympic Rower, World Champion

Nikki Ayers, an inspiring Para-rower and Intensive Care Nurse and Midwife from Canberra. Nikki has made a significant impact in both her sport and profession. Nikki commenced Para-rowing in 2018 after a severe rugby injury, quickly finding success and representing Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the PR3 mixed coxed four. Nikki has had an exceptional season during 2023 in para-rowing winning gold at World Cup II in Varese and breaking the world’s best time in the PR3 Mixed Doubles category. Nikki achieved her greatest feat at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade Serbia. She secured Australia’s only Gold Medal in the PR3 Mixed Doubles category, booking a spot for Paris and emerging as a strong contender for gold. Balancing her demanding nursing career with rigorous training, Nikki is a true embodiment of resilience, drawing motivation from overcoming adversity. Nikki has also been a part of the Australian Institute of Sport ‘Thrive with Pride’ program to be a positive out role model for the rainbow community.

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Nikki Symmons

“Delighted to see this announcement public. We have been working together for many months now, developing ideas to create exciting, interactive activities and showcase our work during the Games with the French public and of course the Olympic and Paralympic athletes participating”

Former international hockey player, with 13 years of elite international experience, teacher, author and LGBTQIA role model. Communications professional utilizing my life-long experience to advocate for and advance inclusion, equity, and diversity.

I am extremely proud to have established the first Global LGBTQIA Employee Resource Group (ERG), Stripes Global at my company. In 2020 I co-wrote a chapter in ‘When the World Stops Watching,’ a book about my experience as the first female athlete in Ireland to ‘come out’ publicly as gay.

As a dynamic people activator driven by the success of the team, I am a leader that values relationship building and connecting skills in both my personal and professional life, and I serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders.

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Tara Llanes

“It’s important for me to help be a voice within our LGBTQ+ community. I know as a young lesbian athlete it was difficult to come out and feel confident. I hope others can see athletes involved with Pride House Paris and feel comfortable and safe.”

A former BMX professional turned Mountain Bike professional. A Mountain Bike Downhill/Dual World Cup winner, World Championship silver and bronze medalist, 5x US National Champion, X-Games Gold medalist and 2022 BMX Hall of Fame inductee. She raced professionally for 15 years for teams such as Mt.Dew/Specialized and Giant Factory Off-Road Team. In 2007 she was paralyzed from the waist down in a Jeep King of the Mountain race in Beaver Creek, Colorado. 

Born and raised in Southern California she moved to North Vancouver in 2010 and is now a proud Canadian citizen. 

After years of rehabilitation from her spinal cord injury and a hiatus from high level sport she began playing wheelchair tennis She quickly transitioned from tennis back to wheelchair basketball and made the Canadian women’s national team in 2018. She went on to win a ParaPan Am Games gold in 2019, qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics coming in 5th, Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, and is looking to qualify for the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics.

She has won the 2022 Wheelchair Basketball Canada female athlete of the year, 2022 BC Wheelchair Basketball female athlete of the year, and the 2024 North Shore Sport Awards para female athlete of the year. 

She enjoys speaking on panels and at events to many young female athletes about high performance sport. After retiring from wheelchair basketball her goal is to be a high performance coach for a national team.