Brian Boitano recently revealed he is gay, and is headed to Sochi. But how will he and other gay athletes be treated in the country that has not been shy about expressing their anti-gay beliefs?
When Brian Boitano finally came out just weeks ago, it wasn’t a surprise to many. But the ice skater said he was inspired to make his personal life public.
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So what inspired him? It was an idea by President Obama. The president appointed a delegation from the U.S. for the 2014 Sochi Olympics that also delivered a message.
“When the president named the delegation and I read in the news what his message was, of tolerance and diversity, I thought, ‘I have to take this opportunity,'” Boitano told Today (via People).
Russia has been causing increasing controversy about the Winter Games because of their anti-gay stance, and Boitano felt it was the perfect time to finally share his life.
“I think the message is so strong,” Boitano added. “I always wanted to represent my country as best I could. And I knew that I had to go past my comfort zone and reveal a private side of my life that I’ve never done before because I felt that the message is so strong.”
He added that it will be a battle in Sochi, even if no words are spoken. He told the show that the delegation will “have to be careful once we get over there. I think the statement is already being made by us being on the delegation and Billie Jean [King] and Caitlin [Cahow] and us standing together united as gay people showing that there is freedom of speech and we are successful human beings and athletes — and I think that that speaks measures.”
The decision to come out on Dec. 19 was a big one for Boitano, but Matt Lauer admitted he “wasn’t shocked.” Boitano laughed at the statement, and admitted he had never tried to hide who he really is.
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“First of all, the reaction has been fantastic and really supportive, but I never really felt that I had to [come out],” he said. “I have always been a private person. I’ve kept my private side of my life special for family and friends who really knew me. I’ve never been ashamed of who I was, I’ve always been open with them.”
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