Our ambassadors

Our ambassadors

With Maja Neuenschwander, Christa Wittwer, Marco Lehmann and Curdin Orlik we have four ambassadors that are prominent in Switzerland. These top athletes are committed to more diversity and inclusion in sports and are the face of the EuroGames Bern 2023.

Maja Neuenschwander

Through sports I easily find common ground with people, with whom I would otherwise have no contact in everyday life.

Maja Neuenschwander, former Swiss marathon record holder, was our first ambassador and, in early 2020, supported our bid to bring EuroGames 2023 to Bern.

Maja, why did you decide to be an ambassador for the EuroGames?

Sport offers the ideal framework to enable new encounters and maintain existing friendships, especially between queer and non-queer people. Through sports, I easily find common ground with people with whom I would otherwise have no contact in everyday life.

Are the EuroGames just an event for the queer community to close itself off from the rest of society?
That’s a similar question to «Why do we still need races geared towards women?» Setting a different focus will appeal to different people. The beauty of such events is that they are an addition to the broad range of sports already offered. The EuroGames appeal to a certain target group and give them access to sports that they might not otherwise have. Who knows, maybe this will lead to participation in another sporting event.

Male top athletes coming out still make hedlines. Why not with female top athletes?
There is less money involved in women’s sports. Consequentially, there is less fear of possible negative reactions after coming out. The Swiss book «Vorbild und Vorurteil» shows the diversity of lesbian athletes in terms of age, sport and personal stories. I never had the feeling that I was alone.

In sports, it doesn't matter who you are or who you love.

Curdin Orlik

In 2020, Curdin Orlik became the first active Swiss top athlete to come out as gay. He has no regrets. «It’s the best thing I could have done for myself. Now I can fully concentrate on sport,» he says.

Curdin, why did you decide to be an ambassador for the EuroGames?
Sport brings people together. That’s why I think the EuroGames Bern 2023 are a good thing. In sports, it doesn’t matter who you are and who you love.

How are you doing after coming out publically in 2020?
Since my public coming out, I’m doing well. I am very glad I did it. It’s the best thing I could have done for myself. Now I can fully concentrate on sport.

Did you have gay role models growing up?
There were no gay role models when I was young. Not in Swiss Wrestling anyway. And not really in other sports either. I would have needed that.

What do you think about cis heterosexual participating in the EuroGames?
That would allow for an exchange. Imagine them going back into their clubs telling their friends that playing sports with queers was fun. That would pave the way for more inclusion.

In sports, it doesn't matter who you are or who you love.

Christa Wittwer

I have always been against exclusion.
A diverse crowd is important to me.

The five-time Swiss javelin champion is delighted that the EuroGames Bern 2023 will bring an inclusive sports event to Bern.

Christa, for a long time you hid your relationship with a woman from athletics. Why?
The athletics stadium is my home. I was afraid of being discriminated against if I stood up for it in front of everyone. However, I was embraced as if we were one giant family.

What do you think about cis heterosexual participating in the EuroGames?
I have always been against exclusion. A diverse crowd is important to me.

Suppose we had several openly gay protagonists in Swiss ice hockey and football at the same time: The issue would be settled.

Marco Lehmann

Professional basketball player Marco Lehmann became the first gay team athlete to come out to the media in 2021.

Marco, why did you decide to be an ambassador for the EuroGames?
I thought long and hard about whether I should get involved as an ambassador. I’m an advocate for equality and diversity in the heteronormative world of sports. It has to be our  goal must be that everyone feels comfortable in every club, regardless of whether it’s top-level or amateur sport. That is why the EuroGames are extremely important for the community and their visibility.

How are you doing after coming out publically in 2020?
Since coming out as a top athlete, I’ve been doing very well. It was very liberating for me: I no longer have to lead a double life. In terms of sports, too, everything is much easier and more carefree. It was the best decision I could have made. Hopefully, other athletes in Switzerland will follow in the near future in order to work together for more acceptance.

What do you think about cis heterosexual participating in the EuroGames?
That would be diversity in the other direction. This way, heterosexuals experience that gay men in sports are nothing out of the ordinary.

Did you miss gay role models growing up?
If I had had gay role models in sports, it would certainly have been much easier for me. Suppose we had several openly gay protagonists in Swiss ice hockey and football at the same time: the issue would be settled.

Suppose we had several openly gay protagonists in Swiss ice hockey and football at the same time: The issue would be settled.

Bilder: Pascal Triponez für EuroGames Bern 2023