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At left, Australian diver Matthew Mitcham, the only openly gay man at this year's Olympics. In the above set clockwise from top are Tom Waddell, founder of the Gay Games, where athletes can be more open about their sexual orientation; Bruce Hayes, an Olympic gold medalist who came out after his swimming career ended; and Judith Arndt, a lesbian cyclist who's competing this year in Beijing. (All photos AP, except Bruce Hayes, a Blade file photo)
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HOME > ENTERTAINMENT > FEATURE
By: RYAN LEE COMMENTS
 
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2004 Olympics in Athens.
The IOC has also worked with Mitcham to ensure that his boyfriend will be able to attend the Beijing Games, according to Kelly Stevens, communications director for the Federation of Gay Games, an Olympics-style competition for gay athletes.
Organizers of the Gay Games have been in contact with Mitcham, Arndt and Duplitzer to offer support and an extended cheerleading section.
“Everything helps,” said Stevens, who added that there are likely many more gay athletes competing in Beijing who have not come out of the closet.
“And there might be some others out there who are out to their family or friends, but they’re not talking to the press,” Stevens said.
The limited number of out Olympians is a bit surprising, but isn’t indicative of an anti-gay climate at the Olympic Games, Stevens said.
“I would think we’re at a time when it’s easier for people to be out, particularly in the developing nations,” Stevens said. “I don’t think that it’s a measurement of the Olympics itself, I think it’s a measure of [athletes’] own countries.”
As a member of the U.S. Olympic team in 2000 and 2004, it was clear to “Al Meredith” that he would have a hard time representing his country if people knew he was gay.
“It’s gotten better over the years, but America is still homophobic and so quick to judge people,” said Meredith, who asked that his real name and sport not be used because he remains competitive and is not out to his family, teammates or coaches.
“I didn’t want the risk of losing sponsors,” said Meredith, who won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics. “I knew a couple of athletes who were also gay, but everybody shows up, remains anonymous and nobody wants to bring all of the attention on them.
“People don’t want to lose big sponsorships because of their sexual orientation,” he said.
Meredith’s experience also highlights the progress gay athletes and people have made since the early 1980s. While there was no gay-related element to Hayes’s Olympic experience, Meredith checked out gay bars in Sidney and Athens and hung out with fellow gay Olympians.
“I met athletes from other countries who, you know, you just discover after being around a person and spending that much time with them,” he said.
Still, Meredith believed there was a small bit missing from his Olympic experience due to his being gay.
“Definitely, you want someone to share those moments with, whether you’re gay or straight,” he said. “Just being able to share those moments of fame with someone that you love and care<
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