Sports
Amazing Grace
Local trainer rediscovers passion for sports, training for Gay Games
Grace Thompson is training for the Gay Games this summer. (Photo courtesy Thompson)
While growing up in Washington, Grace Thompson competed in several sports including basketball, cross country and swimming. As is often the case, her schedule during her college years at Notre Dame of Maryland University left little time for sports.
After college, Thompson co-founded Embody Pure Fitness in D.C. and provides corporate wellness, nutrition counseling, small group training and personal training. It was through one of her clients that she rediscovered competitive sports.
“One of my clients asked if I would train her for a 5K run,” Thompson, a lesbian, says. “That led to a 10K and a 15K and shortly thereafter, I joined the D.C. Frontrunners.”
Since then, she has competed in everything from 5Ks to Ragnar Relays to a marathon. In 2011, she began competing in kettlebell competitions. Kettlebells are cast-iron weights that resemble a cannonball with a handle. The competitions have similarities to weightlifting.
At the World Kettlebell Lifting Championships in 2011, she placed first in the 12KG Long Cycle division. After sitting out 2012 because of a bike crash, she came back in 2013 to place second in the 14KG Long Cycle division.
This August, her love of running will take her to Cleveland for the 2014 Gay Games where she will compete in the marathon and either the 5K or 10K.
“I absolutely enjoy the energy I feel from running,” says Thompson, 30. “I love that I can train by myself or with a group of friends. It is so simple to just grab a pair of running shoes and go.”
Her training leading up to the Games will consist of two yoga sessions per week, weight lifting two days a week and running three times a week with her focus being on strength and endurance. Racing will be limited to the Pride Run 5K and possibly a half marathon in Atlantic City.
Earlier this year, Thompson experienced one of the new hazards in road running during the George Washington Parkway 10 Miler.
“A woman in front of me stopped dead in her tracks and was wearing headphones, so she didn’t realize I was behind her. I had to take a dive to avoid her and basically did a face-plant. She kept on running like nothing happened. I finished the race, but was a bloody, sweaty mess.”
For her first Gay Games experience, Thompson is looking forward to connecting with LGBT athletes from around the world and experiencing the level of competition and camaraderie.
“I can’t wait to meet fellow athletes who are in it for the sport of it. It’s going to be empowering.”
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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