York University sending swim team to Stockholm EuroGames
By Ben Kelly
A swim team from the University of York is hoping to become the first group from the college to compete in the EuroGames, taking place in Stockholm during the first week of August.
The University of York Swimming and Water Polo Club (UYSWC) is trying to raise funds to send four of its swimmers to the EuroGames, an international LGBT inclusive sport event which is welcoming to all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The games see around 30 sporting events attract 5,000 participants, and up to 250,000 visitors.
The group includes Michael Clifford, 2nd year Computer science student, Maja Amanda Olsson, 2nd year Psychology student, Laurence McLellan Bastidas, 1st year Chemistry student and Chris Unsworth, 2nd year Chemistry PhD student.
No UYSWC swimmer has ever competed in an international competition before, and no university has ever specifically shown its support in sending students to the EuroGames, which the team representative Chris Unsworth says is proof that York is one of the leading university sports unions with regards to inclusion and diversity.
“The University of York is very progressive, particularly with respect to diversity and inclusion,” he told Attitude. “Various projects have been established from within YUSU (York University Student’s Union) that seek to increase participation of minorities in sport. Sending York Swimmers to Sweden and the Eurogames falls directly in line with these projects, YUSU recognised that this was a ground breaking opportunity for a university to show their support LGBTQ involvement on the largest stage.”
Chris went on to explain that the fundamental ethos of EuroGames – to engage LGBT people with sport – is one which matters very much to him. “Sport has provided me with so many opportunities and memories,” he says. “I couldn’t imagine my life without being involved in swimming. To know that others like me face so many barriers to sport – an arena that has provided me with so much – makes me want to do something to actively change how LGBTQ communities feel about doing sport. This is why I want to go to the Eurogames.”
“We would like support because the EuroGames presents a once in a lifetime opportunity which we couldn’t do without help. Never again will we be able to represent our university in such a way. We’d be so proud to be the first people to EVER represent a university at the games.”
The York Sport Union Contingency fund have already contributed £340 towards registration for the event, but to help raise the rest of the £800 needed, Chris has set up a fundraising page through the university. You can also watch his accompanying video below.
The EuroGames take place in Stockholm from 5-9 August, and feature political and cultural events in addition to the various sporting competitions. eurogamesstockholm.com
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