Press Release

Olympic Medallists Holly Metcalf and Brian Orser Join the Montréal 2006 Athletes' Circle

Montréal, 19 October 2004 - Today, American Olympic rowing champion, Holly Metcalf, and Canadian Olympic figure skating champion, Brian Orser, became the two first members of the 1st World Outgames Montréal 2006 Athletes' Circles, announced Mark Tewksbury, Co-President of Montréal 2006 and himself an Olympic medallist.

The goal of the Athletes' Circle is to form a coalition of both gay and straight high-performance international athletes who wish to support a sporting event, like the 1st World Outgames, that also has a mission of championing social change. In the weeks and months to come, many other athletes will be joining these two extraordinary individuals.

"We are extremely proud and honoured that these two world-renowned athletes have accepted our invitation to join us in promoting the Outgames in 2006," said Mark Tewksbury. "And we hope that we will soon have the opportunity to welcome them to Montréal for one of the events we will be organising in the coming months."

Holly Metcalf

Holly Metcalf has been involved in rowing for almost twenty years and was a member of the American national/Olympic team six times. At the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, she won the gold medal and from 1981 to 1987, she earned three silver medals and one bronze in world rowing championships. With a Masters and Certificate of Advanced Study from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Risk and Prevention and in Human Development and Psychology, Holly remains passionately involved in many different projects related to the battle against discrimination of all kinds.

Brian Orser

Born in Ontario, Canada, Brian Orser began figure skating at a young age and by the time he was six, he was participating in his first skating carnival with the Midland Skating Club. In 1977, Brian became the Canadian Nationals Novice Champion and, in 1979, the Junior Canadian Champion. Nicknamed "Mr. Triple Axel", Brian Orser competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics Sarajevo, winning a silver medal. Despite three fractures and a gruelling battle against pneumonia, Brian came back to win his second silver medal in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Still active in figure skating, Brian Orser is a living legend, not only in Canada, but to thousands of people around the world who see him as a symbol of courage and excellence.

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