Q&A: Mike Burslem on dominating the Gay Games, and why the Games matter

Track and field captain Mike Burslem conquered the Gay Games in Mexico. He tells us how he got on, and why it matters.

Why did you enter the Gay Games? Tell us about the event.

The World Gay Games is a multi-sport event with usually around 10,000 athletes. It first came into being back in 1982 as an opportunity to promote the spirit of inclusion and participation. Its aim is to bring people of various different backgrounds together through the international language of sport.

It’s an opportunity to show the world that your sporting ability is not determined by your gender, what you look like, or who you love. It’s also a chance to showcase to other LGBT+ people who still live in fear that they have a right to be their true self, to be seen, and take up space in this world. 

I got involved in LGBT+ sport in 2013, and have competed at four Euro Gay Games and now my third Worlds in Guadalajara. I have been very lucky in athletics that all my coaches and training partners have been so accepting that I am gay. I know many LGBT+ athletes don’t have this support.

The games for me are as much about competing as they are supporting or coaching others who have not had the same opportunities that I have. It’s part of me giving something back to athletics after years of support from others. 

How did you get on?

This year, I was competing in the M40 masters category. I won golds in 100m, 400m, 400mH, 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m; plus silver in 200m. 

What were your best moments of the Games?

From a sporting perspective it has to be the 4x400m. Out first leg runner picked up an injury earlier in the day and could only jog round, leaving the 3 of us to chase from almost 100m behind for the win. 

From a cultural perspective, the rainbow run was amazing. This is more of a jog/walk through the city to mark the start of the games before the opening ceremony. We were met by locals cheering and joining in, making everyone feel very welcome. 

Would you like to see more sporting events that celebrate LGBT+ athletes take place in the UK?

It would be amazing for the UK to host either the World Gay Games or the Euro Gay Games. London lost out to Paris in 2018, and Brighton lost out to Valencia for the 2026 edition.

I am proud that our club has such a positive equality, diversity and inclusion policy, which is not common in other clubs in the UK, let alone the rest of the world.