The Commonwealth Games organizing committee has extended an invitation to Tom Daley to address his concerns regarding the LGBT rights records of participating nations prior to Birmingham 2022. Katie Sadleir, the federation’s new CEO, has also announced plans to establish a “Pride House” in close proximity to the athletes’ village. During her first media briefing, Sadleir expressed eagerness at the prospect of meeting with Daley, who has previously criticized discriminatory regulations within certain countries. Following his fourth Commonwealth title in 2018, Daley expressed his hope for improved acceptance of same-sex relationships by the time Birmingham 2022 arrived, stating, “Out of all the Commonwealth nations, there are 37 where it is illegal to be who I am, so hopefully, we can reduce that number before then.”
Sadleir, now “happy to meet with him,” has assured progress has been made in the three years since Daley’s comment. She emphasized that while they do not dictate the policies of individual nations, they provide a platform for important discussions. The concept of a Pride House, serving as a safe space for athletes to address issues and raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community, is currently in development. In addition, a Commonwealth Sports Pride Network will be established to reinforce the message of inclusivity to both athletes and spectators.
In comparison to the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games organizers are adopting a more progressive stance towards allowing athletes to protest against discrimination. Unlike in Tokyo, Birmingham is likely to permit gestures such as kneeling as a form of protest. Sadleir stated, “We are in a slightly different position from the IOC. Our Athletes Commission has been working on an athlete advocacy policy framework, which is scheduled for release in January.”
Regarding the possibility of a meeting with Daley, Sadleir expressed willingness to engage in dialogue and create a safe environment for discussing issues. However, she clarified that they are unable to change the laws of participating countries at this stage.
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