>”Coming out publicly, that was a first,” said his mother. “The highest score awarded to an Olympic dive ever, another first. How many more firsts can this child get? Can you find something else to be first in? He’s just done so well. He deserves it.”
Matthew Mitcham, 20, who was representing Australia at the recent Beijing Olympic Games was one of the only 10 openly gay athletes of the competition. There were 10,500 athletes competing in Beijing.
To read more about the openly gay and lesbian athletes who took part in the 2008 Games, click here.
To find out about Matthew Mitcham, read Out-and-out champion celebrates and A perfect 10.
The interview he gave after his victory in the company of his mother and partner can be viewed here. His winning dives are here.
In September 2008, the Australian postoffice released a stamp showing Mitcham holding his gold medal to commemorated his acheivements (more information here).
