From Marseille Rainbow Sport (MARS) to the EuroGames in Lyon: participations and voices of young LGBTQI+ people in sport
Awarded entity for responding to the 2024 open call “Youth in the decision making - Equality and Sport” published by ENGSO as part of the CERV Programme, the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGSLF) continues to support the grassroots sport participation of young LGBTQI+ migrants in France. This article tells the story of one of them: Yann.
At just 18 years old, Yann, a migrant from Ivory Coast and dedicated member of Marseille Rainbow Sport (MARS), has already made his mark both on and off the field. In July 2025, he proudly represented his association at the EuroGames 2025 in Lyon, a major European sporting event celebrating diversity and inclusion.
Competing in the 7-a-side football tournament on July 25 and 26, Yann and his teammates secured an impressive 6th place finish out of 29 participating teams, after traveling from Marseille the night before.
A First Taste of International Competition
Speaking after the tournament, Yann reflected on the experience:
“We travelled on July 24 from Marseille to Lyon and took part in the tournament on the 25th and 26th. It was a very beautiful experience, and we finished in 6th place.”
Although he had hoped to reach the final, Yann underlined that the EuroGames meant much more than just competition:
“I really enjoyed the tournament because it was a moment of meeting people, having fun and, above all, playing sports. The ceremonies and evening events went really well. I believed we could reach the final, but it didn’t happen. There were positives and negatives in our game, but the most important thing was having the courage to participate, since it was our first time. I’m determined to come back stronger next time.”
From Player to Board Member
For Yann, the experience in Lyon was more than a sporting milestone — it also inspired him to get more involved in his club:
“The experience was so positive that I was pushed to get more involved. I was then advised to apply to be a member of the board of MARS, which I did.”
The board of Marseille Rainbow Sport welcomed him wholeheartedly. Yann now joins Ismail, a 25-year-old migrant from Sierra Leone who has been serving on the board since January 2025. Together, they bring fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to the values of inclusion, resilience, and sportsmanship, helping shape the future of the association.
A Participation Made Possible Through Support
Yann’s participation — and that of several other young LGBTQI+ migrant athletes — was made possible thanks to the financial support of ENGSO (through the CERV Programme), the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), and the Lyon EuroGames organizers.
This initiative aligns with ENGSO Youth’s position paper “Participation of LGBTQI+ Youth in Sport Governance” and reflects ENGSO’s ongoing efforts to advance LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport. Supported by EGLSF and ENGSO, the project specifically targets LGBTQI+ youth aged 18–25, building on EGLSF’s strategy to increase youth participation at EuroGames.
The overarching goal is clear: to form inclusive sports teams that represent and empower LGBTQI+ youth, further enhancing visibility and representation within the sporting community.
Yann’s story — alongside Ismail’s — shows how support, inclusion, and opportunity can transform lives, both on the pitch and in leadership roles.