GAY BRITISH ATHLETE WANTS MORE TO COME OUT

THE only openly gay member of Britain’s athletics team in Tokyo says sport is still ‘not in the 21st century’ and has encouraged more Olympians to come out. Race walker Tom Bosworth

publicly disclosed his sexuality in the run-up to Rio 2016, where he finished sixth and memorably proposed to his partner Harry Dineley on Copacabana beach. But Bosworth remains one of only three Team GB men across all sports who are publicly out — diver Tom Daley and eventer Carl Hester being the others. ‘I didn’t expect it to change my life as much as it did because I had already spoken to my family and my club,’ says the 31-yearold about coming out on BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show in 2015. ‘But it opened my eyes to the world of sport that is not in the 21st century at all. ‘It shows us just how few people have done what I did. ‘It still feels, not a taboo subject, but just hushed away from. ‘When you have 11,000 athletes at the Olympics and 150 out gay sportsmen and women, it just doesn’t add up.’ Commonwealth silver medallist Bosworth, who has postponed his wedding until next year, believes if more gay men spoke out it would help others. He says: ‘The more people that do come out and just live openly, it would make it so much easier for the more mainstream sports people, or everyday people who enjoy sport but are worried about being outed in their club team. ‘It’s all about being visible. If you are fortunate enough to be in a relationship with a supportive family, in a country or place where living openly is pretty safe, I really would recommend it because it will only benefit you and your mental health.’ National-record holder Bosworth competes in the 20km race walk on August 5 and says he is a medal contender. ‘I know I’m capable,’ he adds.