Many Americans won’t recognize him, but 20 years ago Welsh hurdler Colin Jackson won a silver medal in the 110 hurdles in the Olympic Games. Gay rumors have dogged him for at least the last couple years; in 2006, a male flight attendant spread rumors that they had had an affair.
Now, Jackson is an ambassador for the 2012 Olympics in London. Last week he spoke about the rumors that he’s gay, saying they are not true and adding, “I just don’t want to be with any woman.”
The former world record-holder said he was happy to be single and planned to remain a bachelor, but would not turn down his ideal woman – Halle Berry, 41.
In other words, he’s gay.
Jackson also said he didn’t think there was much of a stigma attached to gay athletes anymore. According to the Daily Mail:
The Olympic silver medallist said there was no stigma attached to gay male sports stars.
He said: “It’s the 21st century. I don’t think anybody thinks about that any more. There might have been a stigma in years gone by.”
As long as he’s pushing the notion that being gay isn’t and shouldn’t be an issue in sports, I don’t care whom he dates. -Cyd Zeigler jr.
on Mar 19th, 2008 at 1:58 AM
isn’t it sad and pathetic? it’s 2008 and gay or not should NOT be an issue. if he’s gay, good for him. if he’s not, good for him. being gay or straight isn’t going to make him a better or worse sprinter.
on Mar 19th, 2008 at 7:31 AM
So he hasn’t met the Iranian kid fighting for his life, then? Because I’d think the death penalty for being gay in a country that practices Sharia law would be on the strong side of “stigma”.
on Mar 21st, 2008 at 1:59 PM
I agree Shawn dude …
There are bigger issues at stake than one’s own right to privacy. Being OUT wouldn’t be an issue in a perfect world. Neither would Mahdi (that Iranian kid) having to beg not to be sent back to Iran and his certain execution.
But the world ain’t perfect, especially with so many in the West believing their gayness is no one’s business.