With the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) recently initiating diversity training for its staff members and athletes, and the recent example of a NHL player being suspended for two games after making a rude, homosexual gesture to another player, Whistler’s Dean Nelson said he’s encouraged that progress is being made to create safer, more inclusive environments for all athletes in the world of sport.

Nelson, who spearheaded the creation of Pride House Pavilions in Whistler and Vancouver during the 2010 Games, said he believes the facilities helped spark a public conversation about homophobia in sport. He cited the COC’s training and the NHL suspension as “exciting” examples of progress and changing attitudes.

Last week, the steering committee of the 2010 Pride House Pavilions released a report that outlines the successes and learning experiences from the facilities, the first-ever Olympic pavilions created with the goals of offering an inclusive, welcoming space and prompting a dialogue about homophobia in the sports world.

The report is being shared with the organizing committees for the London 2012 and Sochi, Russia 2014 Olympics.

Nelson said he hopes the report’s findings will show both organizing groups how they can be proactive in reaching out to the gay market and make future Games more inclusive celebrations of diversity.

Discussions are already underway with various groups in London and Sochi, Nelson said, and the organizers of the 2010 Pride House Pavilions will likely be involved in a supporting role if pride houses are established in those host cities.

Nelson said the London organizing committee has already gone farther than the 2010 Games with its release of an official gay pride Olympic pin.

According to the report, which is available online at www.gaywhistler.com/2010-PRIDE-house-Legacy-Report.pdf, about 5,000 people visited the Whistler Pride House throughout the Olympics and Paralympics. Nelson said the model of one location in Whistler, designed to be both a support and resource facility and celebration venue, was a successful approach.

“We ended up being this absolutely fantastic meeting place,” he said.

In Vancouver, there were two separate locations — a support centre and a social venue. Nelson said that model didn’t work as well.

One of the highlights at the Whistler Pride House was a visit from Blake Skjellerup, a speed skater from New Zealand, who publicly identified himself as gay after the 2010 Games. Nelson said it was partly Skjellerup’s experience at the pavilion that encouraged him to come out.

“He was just really inspired with how open and authentic both Vancouver and Whistler were,” Nelson said.