Matthew Mitcham has reached the sporting heights by winning an Olympic gold medal in diving. Yet his experience at the Gay Games has been equally emotional.
“I’ve cried twice since I’ve been here,” Mitcham told the crowd at the Gay Games Opening Ceremonies. The last time that happened was when he won the gold in Beijing in 2008.
Mitcham, from Australia, has been an ambassador at large at the Games, giving media interviews, making appearances and simply having a great time. Despite his athletic fame, he is a humble, grounded person who gives off no airs of pretense. David Kopay, the first openly gay NFL player, a sports pioneer and himself a Gay Games Ambassador, was raving over how much he was impressed by Mitcham.
I approached Mitcham a bit warily Sunday after I wrote about how bored I was by the first half of the Opening Ceremonies. This prompted Mitcham to tweet: “Me included? RT @outsports: Really underwhelmed with opening ceremony of Gay Games. Way too many long speeches by people no one cares about.”
I went up to him, stuck out my hand and said, “Hi, I’m Jim from Outsports, the guy you tweeted about.” He broke into a big smile and we had a great conversation. For the record, Cyd and I stayed at the opening to watch Mitcham administer the athletes’ oath and he was anything but underwhelming. It was clear the audience adored him. He also admitted that he missed most of the speeches since he was prepping, but that he liked the entertainment and pageantry that followed.
It’s been two years this month when Mitcham won his gold and his life changed. He could have held the gay sports movement at arms length given his new stature. Instead, he has embraced it and in the process inspired countless other gay and lesbian athletes. Mitcham has been a model of how an athlete can successfully come out. If he loved every minute of his time in Cologne, he should know that the feeling from the 9,000 athletes here is mutual.
on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 9:19 AM
By far my favorite article about the Gay Games in Cologne. Having lived with an Aussie for over 20 years I’m not surprised about his bold honesty and “down” right forthrightness about stating what he thinks.
More a fan of Mitcham now than ever. Hope my one of my straight Aussie nephews, who is also athletic but likely to pursue a less physically demanding career, grows up to be as sweet a person. Matthew may be the perfect role model for all teen boys.
on Aug 2nd, 2010 at 1:11 PM
[shakes fist at Jim B] Damn you! Damn you to hell, you got to meet Matthew Mitcham, up close and personal.
I’m glad he had a good time, it sounds like he did a great job at the opening ceremony.
He’s no Ricky Ponting, however.
on Aug 3rd, 2010 at 7:34 PM
Nice piece, Jim. Jealous. Matthew Mitcham is one of those sports heroes, he has nerve and he has that openness, that simpatico. And judging from that photo in the past 2 years he is getting HOTTER.
on Aug 3rd, 2010 at 11:55 PM
Matthew, you rock!
on Aug 22nd, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Matthew also assisted with the start of the Rainbow Memorial Run on the morning preceding the opening ceremonies. What a great and generous and down to earth guy he is. Best wishes to you, Matthew, and thanks for all your work for the games!
on Jan 14th, 2012 at 6:42 PM
Some truly good info , Sword lily I discovered this.