Rudy Galindo

Reno, Nevada, USA
Sport: Figure skating

"It means a lot to me to be asked to support the Gay Games movement, knowing that the Gay Games' key founder, Dr. Tom Waddell, died from AIDS during an era when treatments were not as advanced as today. The many organizations that make up the Federation of Gay Games are about fitness for life as much as they are about organizing competitions. I think it's important to be up front about my HIV status and find it difficult to imagine not being out, open and proud. Staying in the closet wasn't something I really even considered. I'm just being me."

At a glance: In 1996 Rudy won gold in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and, just weeks later, the bronze medal at the World Championships ... He won Junior World titles in pairs with Kristi Yamaguchi ... He came out in his autobiography "Icebreaker" in 1996 was diagnosed with AIDS in 2001 ... Rudy continues to perform despite having both hips replaced in 2003 because of avascular necrosis ... In 2006 he was a judge on the WE: Women's Entertainment reality program "Skating's Next Star" and performed in the Champions on Ice tour ... He is appearing in two of the 2007 Disson Skating shows to be aired on the U.S. NBC and Style networks in December and January.

Rudy's website: www.rudy-galindo.com