BRIAN BOITANO

In the figure skating world, Brian Boitano is a legend. The American won his first national championship at just 14 years old and went on to win over 50 titles, with a careerdefining gold medal at the Calgary Olympics in 1988. Boitano has been inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall Of Fame, National Italian-American Hall Of Fame and the World Figure Skating Hall Of Fame. He’s an icon who even inspired the creators of South Park to lampoon him on film.

Leading an extremely private life, Boitano never felt the need to publicly come out. The SF Gate had referred to him as a prominent gay athlete and his sexuality was often assumed, but it took President Obama to effectively out him last year. When the President nominated him, along with several prominent gay athletes, to the US Olympic delegation to Sochi, Boitano finally spoke out. “I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author and being gay is just one part of who I am. First and foremost, I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance.”

His admission was well-received, although senior International Olympic Committee member Mario Pescante criticised Obama’s decision to include gay athletes as delegates, stating the Olympics shouldn’t be about promoting rights.