04/07/2026
Cycling solicitor Philip competed at the Gay Games in Valencia, a major international sporting and cultural event and one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ gatherings. The Games bring together thousands of athletes and participants from across the globe to celebrate sport, inclusion and community on a truly international stage.
Competing alongside friends, members of LDN RIDERS and athletes from sports clubs worldwide, Philip took part in the Olympic-distance triathlon in challenging conditions. The race comprised a 1.5 km open-water swim, a 40 km bike ride and a 10 km run in the Valencian heat.
In addition to the triathlon, he also competed in freestyle and breaststroke swimming events. Balancing training for both disciplines required careful adaptation, and the experience provided a valuable opportunity to develop his competitive swimming skills in a race environment.
The swimming events marked Philip’s first ever swim meet focused purely on pool racing, offering a steep but rewarding learning curve. He particularly valued the chance to refine technical aspects of his swimming, including his dive, while gaining greater insight into competitive race strategy.
Beyond the results, the event offered the opportunity to meet athletes from across the world, form new friendships and share experiences within a diverse and inclusive sporting and cultural community. As a cycling lawyer acting for injured cyclists, Philip also had the chance to speak about his legal practice with fellow athletes and reflect on the shared challenges faced by those involved in sport.
He left Valencia having achieved his goals for the triathlon, gained new experience in swim racing, and deepened his connection to the international sporting community that events like the Gay Games uniquely bring together.
València Gay Games 2026
British Triathlon
