Squash Celebrates Diversity, Respect and Solidarity at the Paris 2018 Gay Games

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[En français plus bas dans le texte]

9 August 2018

The French Squash Federation (FFS), the World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) proudly support squash's participation at the 2018 Gay Games taking place from August 4-12 in Paris. This year's edition of the worldwide sport and cultural event that promotes diversity and tolerance marks the 8th time squash is part of the official programme of the Gay Games, with a packed week of action at the Charléty Stadium.

The event is open to all, regardless of skill level, and is welcoming 104 participants, women and men, representing 20 different nationalities, including Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, and of course France, among others.

The pool of participants also demonstrates that squash is a truly intergenerational sport, as the participants' age range is from twenties to sixties.

The French association Les Petites Frappes is ensuring that the players have the best stage to compete and to celebrate through sport the values of diversity, respect and solidarity.

WSF President Jacques Fontaine commented: "We are very proud of squash being an integral part of this dynamic and celebratory multi-sport event taking place across the city of Paris. The Gay Games are an excellent demonstration of the important role that sport can play in society, by bringing people together and promoting diversity and mutual respect. As we are vying to be included in the Olympic programme, we are eager to demonstrate how squash can also contribute to promoting Paris 2024 Olympic Games' vision in terms of diversity and inclusiveness."

PSA CEO Alex Gough said: "PSA welcomes squash's participation at the Paris 2018 Gay Games as further proof of how vibrant and inclusive our sport is internationally. At PSA we actively support players who identify themselves as LGBT and we hope that this event will inspire more people to try our sport."

President of the Association Les Petites Frappes Frédéric Casas added: "Paris 2018 Gay Games is a significant milestone for our association, as we seek to promote LGBT communities' integration through the game of squash. We truly hope that the event will help squash to reach an even larger number of people internationally, no matter their sexual orientation, origin or cultural background."

About Les Petites Frappes

Les Petites Frappes is a French association based in Paris and affiliated with the Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (FSGL). The association promotes squash for all through organising trainings and education sessions, staging joint events with other LGBT associations and bringing together every person who wants to learn or practice squash. Several members of Les Petites Frappes regularly take part in European tournaments. The association is also in charge of the squash event organisation at the Paris 2018 Gay Games.

Le squash met à l'honneur la diversité, le respect et la solidarité à l'occasion des Gay Games 2018 à Paris

9 août 2018 - La Fédération Française de Squash (FFS), la Fédération Internationale de Squash (WSF) et l'Association Professionnelle de Squash (PSA) soutiennent avec fierté la participation du squash aux Gay Games 2018 qui se dérouleront du 4 au 12 août à Paris. Evénement sportif et culturel mondial, visant à promouvoir la diversité et la tolérance, les Gay Games 2018 à Paris marquent la 8ème apparition du squash dans le cadre du programme officiel des Gay Games. Le squash met en place une semaine de compétition haute en couleur au stade Charléty.

L'événement est ouvert à tous, quel que soit le niveau des joueurs, et accueille 104 participants, femmes et hommes confondus, venus de 20 nations différentes, dont la Hongrie, l'Irlande, la Malaisie, l'Espagne, les Emirats Arabes Unis, le Royaume-Uni et bien sûr la France, parmi d'autres.

Le groupe de participants démontre que le squash est un sport totalement intergénérationnel, l'âge des participants allant de la vingtaine à la soixantaine.

C'est l'association Les Petites Frappes qui veille pour cette édition à mettre les joueurs dans les meilleures conditions. Une superbe organisation qui permet de diffuser et de partager les valeurs de diversité, de respect et de solidarité à travers le sport.

Le président de la Fédération Internationale de Squash, Jacques Fontaine, a commenté : « Nous sommes très fiers que le squash fasse partie intégrante de cet événement multisports, très dynamique et festif, qui se déroule dans tout Paris. Les Gay Games sont une excellente preuve du rôle important que le sport peut jouer dans la société, en rassemblant les gens et en promouvant la diversité et le respect mutuel. Alors que nous aspirons à être inclus dans le programme Olympique, nous sommes prêts et impatients de montrer comment le squash peut contribuer à promouvoir la vision des Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024 en termes de l'inclusivité et la diversité. »

Le PDG de l'Association Professionnelle de Squash, Alex Gough, a déclaré : « PSA se réjouit de la participation du squash aux Gay Games 2018 à Paris. C'est une démonstration de la vitalité et de l'inclusivité de notre sport au niveau international. Chez PSA, nous soutenons activement les joueurs s'identifiant comme LGBT et nous espérons que cet événement inspirera plus de gens à essayer le squash. »

Président de l'Association Les Petites Frappes, Frédéric Casas, a ajouté : « Les Gay Games 2018 à Paris sont une étape importante pour notre association, car nous cherchons à promouvoir l'intégration des communautés LGBT à travers le squash. Nous espérons sincèrement que l'événement aidera à atteindre un public plus large à l'international, peu importe l'orientation sexuelle, l'origine ou l'appartenance culturelle. »

A propos des Petites Frappes

Les Petites Frappes est une association française basée à Paris et affiliée à la Fédération du Sport Gay et Lesbien (FSGL). L'association promeut un squash pour tous, en organisant des entraînements et des sessions d'apprentissage du squash, tout en planifiant des événements conjoints avec d'autres associations LGBT et en réunissant toutes les personnes voulant apprendre ou pratiquer le squash. Plusieurs membres des Petites Frappes participent régulièrement à des tournois européens. L'association est également en charge de l'organisation des épreuves de squash aux Gay Games 2018 de Paris.

- ENDS -

For further information from the World Squash Federation:

Howard Harding, WSF World Media Director

media@worldsquash.org | +44 7773 325130

For further information from the Professional Squash Association:

Sean Reuthe, PSA PR & Media Manager

sean@psaworldtour.com | +44 113 859 1000

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