Wills backs rugby legend in HIV battle
PRINCE William hailed the courage of Gareth Thomas yesterday, after the formerWelsh rugby captain told the world he has the HIV virus.
Gareth, who was a guest at William’s wedding in 2011 and has worked with the Prince on rugby projects, is the UK’s first top sportsman to talk openly about the condition.
And the ITV Rugby World Cup pundit, affectionately known as Alfie to Welsh rugby fans, broke down in tears yesterday as he hugged his husband of four years, Stephen, as he competed in the gruelling Ironman Wales contest.
He briefly left the track and leaned over a safety barrier to embrace Stephen, 56, and his parents Yvonne, 70, and Barry, 69, before completing the two-mile swim, 112-mile cycle ride and a marathon.
Sue Moore, 58, a spectator at the event in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, said: “It was a very emotional moment – no one expected it.”
The Duke of Cambridge, who is patron of Welsh Rugby Union, tweeted: “Courageous as ever – legend on the pitch and legend off it. You have our support Gareth W.”
In a video on Saturday, Gareth, 45, who came out as gay in 2009, said he had been secretly living with HIV – the virus which causes Aids – for years, but was forced to speak out after being threatened by blackmailers.
He said: “I’ve been threatened by people who said they would give away my secret. It’s sick and I’ve been through hell.
“I was being blackmailed and in my mind I thought you only get blackmailed for something really bad, which compounded the feeling of shame. “When someone else knows a secret as big as that, they can determine your happiness or sadness every morning and use it as a weapon
against you and your family. It put me in the darkest place ever. I felt I was losing control of my own life.”
Famous names lined up to praise Gareth. TV presenter Carol Vorderman, 58, tweeted: “We love you Alfie. You will always have our support x.”
Welsh singer Charlotte Church told him, “You’ve got my support and love all the way” and Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker, 58, added: “Good luck to you.”
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn hailed Gareth as a “role model challenging stigma and prejudice”.
And Nigel Owens, the first professional rugby referee to come out as gay, said: “Stay strong my friend and as always well done for being so brave and speak about these important issues that affect so many and will help even more.”
Keeping Faith actress Eve Myles, 41, tweeted: “When I think of a warrior...When I think of courage... When I think of strength... When I think of kindness.. When I think of humanity... When I think of passion... I THINK OF YOU.
“Keep changing the world for the better my beautiful friend .... I am proud of you. I love you. X”
Former British Lions captain Gareth, from Bridgend, South Wales, won 100 caps for Wales from 1995 to 2007 before going on to play rugby league and winning four caps He retired from the sport in 2011.
NO ONE doubts that former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas is an iron man. And just to prove it he was taking part in a 140-mile triathlon yesterday – a day after revealing that he is HIV positive.
Thomas spoke of blackmailers forcing him into making a public statement. But the Duke of Cambridge is supporting him and it may be that good will come of Thomas’s revelation.
No one should live under the HIV shadow and although it is no longer the death sentence it once was in Western nations, in many parts of the world it remains lethal.