Martina Navratilova to Open Outgames

Montréal – The 1^st World Outgames Montréal 2006 are proud to announce that Ms. Martina Navratilova has joined their Circle of Champions. Ms. Navratilova will actively participate in the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, which will be held for three days before the Opening Ceremony of the Outgames. The world-renowned tennis champion and sports legend will present the Declaration of Montréal with Olympic medalist and Outgames Co-President Mark Tewksbury at the Opening Ceremony on July 29, 2006.

"I am thrilled to be involved with the Outgames. Over the past three years, the Montréal organization has built a new model for LGBT sport and cultural events, one that honors the past, speaks to the present, and stands ready to embrace the future,” said Ms. Navratilova, internationally respected sportswoman and 18-time Grand Slam champion. “This model will result in the largest LGBT sport and cultural event ever held. This is why I am so proud to be part of this important development in the history of the international LGBT community.”

“We are extremely honoured to have the support of Ms. Navratilova to help us spread the word about this ground-breaking international event,” added Mr. Mark Tewksbury, Co-President of the 1^st World Outgames and Canadian Olympic champion. “We have had extensive discussions and Ms. Navratilova will be participating in the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, meeting with Outgames partners and participants and, finally, in what is sure to be a moving and unforgettable moment, she and I will read the Declaration of Montréal, the true legacy of the Conference, at the Opening Ceremony of the 1^st World Outgames.”

The International Conference on LGBT Human rights focuses on affirming LGBT rights as an international standard, in every country of the world. To this end, a final resolution entitled the Declaration of Montréal, will be adopted at the close of the Conference and presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 1^st World Outgames. The Declaration of Montréal will then be introduced to the United Nations and other international forums.

The Outgames Circle of Champions is an international group of prominent individuals supporting the goals and principles of the 1^st World Outgames. The Outgames will take place in Montréal, Canada, from July 26 to August 5, 2006, and will bring together 16,000 participants from 120 countries and 250,000 visitors for an unforgettable celebration of LGBT sport and culture. The program features 35 sport disciplines, six cultural activities and the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights.

Martina Navratilova’s stellar career was crowned with one record-breaking success after another. She won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 40 Grand Slam doubles titles (31 women's doubles and nine mixed doubles) and the women's singles title at Wimbledon a record nine times. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000, arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time.