Sports
Countdown to the Gay Games
Swimmer Todd Harvey is already veteran champ for D.C. Aquatics Club
Todd Harvey says being in the water is his ‘runway walk’ time. (Washington Blade photo by Kevin Majoros)
When Todd Harvey was living in Austin, Texas, he was looking to get back into the sport of swimming but was unable to find a team that was a good match for him.
At the end of 2012, his job in public health administration at the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors moved him to Washington and he was still itching to get back in the water.
“I didn’t know many people here,” says Harvey, 34. “Besides wanting to get back into swimming, I wanted to expand my friendship base in a healthy way.”
He joined the District of Columbia Aquatics Club within a few months of moving to D.C. and has already proven himself a valuable asset to the team winning nine medals at the International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics Championships in Seattle last August.
Harvey grew up in Uniontown, Pa., and went through the sports of soccer and wrestling before discovering swimming at age 10. He joined the local YMCA, fell in love with the sport and went on to captain his high school swim team.
This August, Harvey will compete at the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland in the 50, 100 & 200 butterfly, 50 backstroke and 200 freestyle. His training leading up to the Games will consist of swimming four-to-five times a week, weightlifting and solidcore training.
Harvey remains dedicated to the sport of swimming for a number of reasons.
“I think the best thing about swimming as an adult is that I have found an incredible team,” says Harvey. “DCAC is a serious group of well-trained, amazing athletes, who push one another to put forth their best efforts in the pool. We also do a lot of things socially and provide emotional support for one another when it is needed.”
One thing that seems to be a common denominator for all competitive swimmers, Harvey says, is the love of the rush that comes right before a race. There is no time for mistakes in a race and the desire to perform their best puts pressure squarely on the shoulders of each swimmer.
“Swimming is my time to feel athletic and fit. I love being able to measure myself now versus my old self. There is no better feeling than when you feel good in the water. It’s my runway walk and I feel strong.”
This will be Harvey’s first Gay Games and he is looking forward to experiencing the LGBT athletic community, swimming fast and seeing Cleveland from a new perspective.
He also gamely admits there will be a fun side to the proceedings as well.
“I am really looking forward to the on-deck gossip. Who met who, who did what and did you see what he looks like in that Speedo?”
Sports
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay
Games to take place next month in Italy
“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.
HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.
The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.
The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.
Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.
Egypt
Iran, Egypt object to playing in Seattle World Cup ‘Pride Match’
Game to take place on June 26
Iran and Egypt have objected to playing in a “Pride Match” that will take place in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup.
The Egyptian Football Association on Tuesday said it told FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström in a letter that “it categorically rejects holding any activities related to supporting (homosexuality) during the match between the Egyptian national team and Iran, scheduled to be held in Seattle, USA, on June 26, 2026, in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.” Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj told ISNA, a semi-official Iranian news agency that both his country and Egypt “protested this issue.”
The 2026 World Cup will take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The draw took place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 5.
Iran is among the handful of countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death.
The State Department’s 2023 human rights report notes that while Egyptian law “did not explicitly criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, authorities regularly arrested and prosecuted LGBTQI+ persons on charges including ‘debauchery,’ prostitution, and ‘violating family values.’” Egyptian authorities “also reportedly prosecuted LGBTQI+ individuals for ‘misuse of social media.’”
“This resulted in de facto criminalization of same-sex conduct and identity,” notes the report.
The 2024 human rights report the State Department released earlier this year did not include LGBTQ-specific references.
Soccer has ‘unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs’
The June 26 match between Iran and Egypt coincides with Seattle Pride. The Washington Post reported the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 Local Organizing Committee decided to hold the “Pride Match” before last week’s draw.
“As the Local Organizing Committee, SeattleFWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” said SeattleFWC26 Vice President of Communications Hana Tadesse in a statement the committee sent to the Washington Blade on Wednesday. “SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”
“Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs,” added Tadeese. “The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle. We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region.”
The 2034 World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia.
Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death in the country. The 2022 World Cup took place in neighboring Qatar, despite concerns over the country’s anti-LGBTQ rights record.
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