Gay Speed Skater Blake Skjellerup Calls For More Gay Sportsman Role Models

Blake Skjellerup, the New Zealand  short track speed skater who competed in this year’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver has announced that he is gay in an interview with Australian gay magazine DNA.

Speaking of how he didn’t hide his sexuality at the games, and walked hand in hand with his boyfriend around the venues, Skjellerup said he would have come out if asked, but did not look to do so as he was more focused on the competition. He did though comment on how surprised he was to be the only competing athlete to visit the PRIDE house, the gay meeting point at Whistler:

I was a bit shocked that I was the first competing gay athlete from these Olympics to visit, especially since I wasn’t able to make it there (owing to scheduling conflicts) until after I had finished competing. But it was great to see such a thing. If I had felt like I needed a space to be myself away from the Olympic village, it would have been there. I hope the idea can grow from Olympics to Olympics.

Whilst Skjellerup has felt that now is the time for him to speak publicly about his sexuality, he doesn’t disclose the name of his boyfriend who is also  a competitive athlete, and also acted to point out the amount of homophobia that still existed in the sports world:

“’We are not yet at the point in society where being gay sportsperson is not a big deal. If I was asked during any of my twenty-something interviews at the Olympics whether I had a boyfriend or a girlfriend — in the same sentence — I would have replied honestly, but I may have replied hesitantly,’”

and the need of role models to combat this:

“Gays are too often given a stereotype. Back when I was 18, and becoming serious about my sport and my Olympic goals, if I could have seen an athlete like myself out there – with whom I could relate to – my journey would have been a lot easier.

“[American figure skater] Johnny Weir meets a specific stereotype, I meet a specific stereotype and [Welsh rugby player] Gareth Thomas meets another. Being gay is just like any other personality trait: it’s multifaceted. I can’t personally relate to Weir or Thomas, and nor will many other young gay athletes out there. But maybe some of them will see something in me to relate to. The more types we provide, the more we’ll appeal to people [who are struggling with their sexuality.”

Via Outsports.