Javier Raya: competing at Sochi Olympics, starting Compete Proud, elevating LGBTQ+ voices in sport and more

2025-05-21

Javier Raya was just a child when he began skating at a rink near a train station in Madrid. From there, the Spanish figure-skater turned himself into an elite level skater, winning the country’s National Championships in 2011 and medalling on countless other occasions – and becoming an Olympian when he represented his country at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He’s not just an elite level athlete in his own right either, but started Compete Proud to give LGBTQ+ athletes at all levels the repre...

Javier Raya was just a child when he began skating at a rink near a train station in Madrid.

From there, the Spanish figure-skater turned himself into an elite level skater, winning the country’s National Championships in 2011 and medalling on countless other occasions – and becoming an Olympian when he represented his country at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

He’s not just an elite level athlete in his own right either, but started Compete Proud to give LGBTQ+ athletes at all levels the representation and support that they needed.

The organisation has gone from strength-to-strength, with partnerships like Pride House Paris and more in the last twelve months alone.

So, it’s brilliant that Javier has taken the time to join us from Spain to talk about Compete Proud and his own amazing sporting career.

This is a cracker of a conversation – about the obligation that Javier felt to be his authentic self in sport; about the importance of lifting up others; about his highest sporting moments; how he switches off; and so, so much more!

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