Kimberly Williams joins Rainbow Laces movement

National triple jumper Kimberly Williams has become an advocate for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual orientations (LGBTQ+) movement.

She announced on her social media platforms yesterday that she has joined the Rainbow Laces movement. This is an initiative started by United Kingdom-based lobby group Stonewall, where professional athletes raise awareness for LGBTQ rights by wearing rainbow-coloured laces while competing.

Williams says sports can and should be for everyone.

"LGBTQ+ people should feel safe and supported when they take part in sporting activities on all levels," she said in a caption on her photo sporting sneakers with rainbow laces. "43% of LGBTQ+ people think public sporting events aren't a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people.

"Join the #rainbowlaces initiative to promote inclusivity, equality and diversity in sports. Let's come together and make HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA and TRANSPHOBIA in sports a thing of the past."

The Rainbow Laces movement was supported during the previous round of English Premier League games, with players wearing the laces in their boots during games, and all captains from the 20 football teams wearing rainbow-coloured armbands.

Williams, an Olympian, has been a national champion on numerous occasions and won gold in the triple jump at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, then retained the medal at the 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia. She finished fourth with a personal-best jump of 14.64m at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, last year.