They are due to join more a million people today for the city's annual gay pride canal parde.

 

 

One of the barges will feature several of the Netherlands’ top sporting personalities, including van den Hoogenband, who has won three Olympic medals, hockey player Minke Booij speed skater and Jochem Uytdehaage.

 

Several leading Dutch footballers, whose names still have to be released, are also due to participate.

 

The initiative is brainchild of 29-year-old Johan Kenkhuis, who won silver and bronze medals in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics as part of Holland's 4x200 metres relay team, and aims to promote acceptance and tolerance of lesbian gay bisexual transgender (LGBT) people in sport.

 

Kenkhuis was one of only 11 openly gay athletes to take part in the 2004 Games in Athens.

 

The others included Britain's Carl Hester and Rob Newton, who competed in dressage and the 110m hurdles respectively, and tennis players Amelie Mauresmo, Conchita Martinez and Martina Navratilova.

 

Kenkhuis said: “It is fantastic that such a large group of top sports stars make this statement about the acceptance of homosexuality in Dutch sport.

 

“In sports, especially at the highest level, it is all about winning, teamwork and fair play.

 

"You need your team-mates, your coach, the audience and even your competitors to win that gold medal; you can't do it alone.

 

"That's why we have to accept and respect all players for who they are.

 

"That's an attitude that feels natural to all top athletes, but is never really brought to people’s attention.

 

“I initiated this project to do just this, and inspire the public to adopt these values, too.

 

"Homosexuality in sports at our level has never really been an issue.

 

"Of course, in some areas there's still work to be done, but that's why we are coming together on to start make that change. It is about showing respect to each other to achieve victory: nothing else matters.

 

“It is always up to the athlete to be open about something that is private.

 

"Somehow, public figures are expected to tell all about their private lives.

 

"Why should they?

 

"This is no-one else’s business.

 

"Athletes are in the media because of their sporting performance and achievements, not because of their sexuality or other characteristics, right?”