The first GAY GAMES (Gay Games I) began on this date in San Francisco.  Originally called the Gay Olympics, it was the brainchild of the former Olympian Tom Waddell, whose goals were to promote the spirit of inclusion and participation, as well as the pursuit of personal growth in a sporting event. With the current situation developing in Russia, it is useful to remember that the International Olympic Committee has never been a friend of the LGBT community, suing to prevent the use of “Gay Olympics” which resulted in the change of name to “Gay Games.”