Javier Raya, OLY

SDGs:

IOC Young Leader Bio:

An IOC Young Leader from 2021 to 2024, Javier Raya is an Olympic figure skater who represented Spain at the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014. With over two decades of elite international experience, he has built a successful career in media and communications, working closely with athletes and institutions to amplify the positive impact of sport in society.

He currently serves as Communications and Social Media Manager for the IOC Young Leaders Programme, combining his professional expertise with his athletic background to bridge the gap between sport and broader audiences. An Olympic Ambassador, Javier is deeply committed to advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) across the sporting ecosystem, with a particular focus on fostering safe and empowering environments for LGBTQI+ athletes and communities.

Project: Compete Proud

During his time as a Young Leader, Javier founded Compete Proud, a DEI platform dedicated to making sport more inclusive for LGBTQI+ communities from grassroots to the Olympic stage. The project provides a safe space to highlight the stories of proud athletes who have become DEI role models, while offering practical tools through online content, educational webinars, in-person workshops and consultancy for athletes, sports organisations, companies and other stakeholders.

Since its launch in 2022, Compete Proud has engaged more than 200 athletes, organisations and companies worldwide. In 2024, the initiative partnered with local association Fier Play to co-deliver Pride House Paris 2024 during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through panels, workshops and ambassador activations, the project connected with LGBTQI+ athletes competing at the Games, as well as local communities, creating a legacy of inclusion and visibility.

Building on its achievements during Javier's IOC Young Leaders 2021-2024 programme term, Compete Proud has grown into an independent association. It continues to expand globally, collaborating with future Pride House hosts for Milano Cortina 2026 and Los Angeles 2028, engaging with European initiatives such as Proud Champions, and partnering with inclusive international events including the EuroGames and Gay Games. With its network of Olympians, Paralympians and international athletes, Compete Proud remains a leading force in advancing LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport, working hand-in-hand with institutions, sponsors and globally recognised organisations to shape a more diverse, equitable and inclusive sporting culture.

ONLINE:

competeproud.com
Compete Proud on Instagram
Twitter
Instagram