Thanks to the folks at HOM for bringing us the French Olympic swim team just as we like them. What I love most about the video and photo shoot HOM put together is how much fun these guys are having in front of the camera. There’s no worry about not getting too close to their [...]
Posts under ‘Swimming’
Swimmer Jeff Commings shocked by death of Alexander Dale Oen, recalls last interview
The swimming world is stunned by the death today of Norwegian swimmer Alexander Dale Oen, 26, who died suddenly from cardiac arrest in his room at a pre-Olympic training camp in Flagstaff, Ariz. Oen was the world champion in the 100-meter breaststroke and a favorite to medal at this summer’s Olympics. One of the last [...]
Eye on sports: Our favorite photos of the week
We present our favorite photos of the past sports week. This week’s offerings include baseball and soccer celebrations, college football in the spring, the NBA, fencing, Olympic trials kayaking, swimming and Cristiano Ronaldo. Click image for larger view (and on that image for an even larger view): Share on Facebook
Mark Tewksbury excited about being Canada’s Olympics face
Former gold medal swimmer Mark Tewksbury has embraced his role as chef de mission for the Canadian Olympics team heading to London . Basically, he “will be front and center, the go-to man for athletes, the media and, ultimately, armchair fans across the nation.” He’s also openly gay, a factor that played no role in [...]
Eye on sports: Our favorite photos of the week
We present our favorite photos of the past sports week. This week’s offerings include baseball’s opening day, college basketball, track and field, Aussie Rules Football, swimming and soccer. Share on Facebook
Michael Phelps, Head & Shoulders kick off impending flood of Olympic commercials
Michael Phelps and Head & Shoulders seem to be one of the first combos out of the gate with an Olympics-inspired commercial. This one features the Olympic gold medalist in a shower and a pool. While we’re not complaining about seeing his body on screen for 30 seconds, it’s funny to see a shampoo commercial [...]
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue features female models and three male athletes
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is out, and it again features lots of scantily clad female models. When we at Outsports get complaints that we feature shirtless athletes (like Gareth Thomas in his underwear), we always point to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as proof that “it’s not a gay thing, it’s a guy thing.” [...]
Diana Nyad attempting Cuba to Florida swim for the fourth time
Out distance swimmer Diana Nyad says she will again attempt to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys this summer. It will be her fourth attempt. She first tried what she calls the “Xtreme Dream” in 1978 at the age of 29, but she was thwarted by bad weather. Last summer she attempted the swim [...]
Speedo’s new swimsuit promises more speed and will show more skin
Now that the swimming federation FINA has banned full-body swimsuits as the equivalent of fashion doping, Speedo has unveiled its newest suit that promises faster times. And, as a bonus, will show us more of the swimmer’s body. The Fastskin3 suit, unveiled today in London, site of the 2012 Olympics, combines a suit, a cap [...]
GLAAD gets amped with 1.5-mile swim in Ft. Lauderdale
GLAAD teamed up with MKH2O to host their first-ever 1.5-mile swim fundraiser in Ft. Lauderdale on Nov. 12. Get Amped featured 35 swimmers, each of whom had a fundraising goal of $500 for the media watchdog organization. According to Open Water Source, Ricardo Valdivia was the first out of the water in about 22 minutes. [...]
Should boys compete in girls high school sports leagues?
In Massachusetts, Norwood High School’s star swimmer Will Higgins broke a 26-year-old meet record in the 50-yard freestyle in the state’s swimming and diving championships regional meet…for girls. Yes, because his high school has no boys swim team, by state law Higgins is allowed to compete on the girls team. While he broke that meet [...]
Two gay swimmers are among oldest Olympic trial qualifiers ever
Two openly gay swimmers have become two of the three oldest swimmers to ever qualify for the U.S. Olympic trials. Two 37-year-olds, Brian Jacobsen (right) from Minnesota and author Jeff Commings have accomplished the incredible, qualifying for the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter breaststroke respectively. From nightlifegay.com: What a difference 10 years makes! Not only are [...]
Meet Andrew, the latest gay high school athlete who is blogging
I have been writing this year about gay high school athletes who have started blogs. They tend to feed off and inspire each other and provide a window into what it means to be a gay teenager in America. The latest is the Transpiration of Andrew, written by Andrew, a senior captain of his varsity [...]
Top 10 moments in LGBT aquatics history
This summer we presented the 100 most important moments in LGBT sports history. We have encouraged leaders throughout the community to give us their top 10. This list comes from longtime IGLA and Gay Games leader Charlie Carson. It’s impossible to rank certain of the moments over others so I’ve chosen to list them chronologically. [...]
High school swimmer writes a beautiful coming out letter to parents
Last week, I wrote about Sam, a Pennsylvania high school junior, who had started a blog to talk about his coming out process. I spoke with him Saturday and he said he planned on coming out to his sister in a few weeks and his parents by Christmas. After much reflection, Sam decided the time [...]
Swim for Equality ends season this weekend
The Swim for Equality will complete its second season this weekend with a finish-line party in Malibu, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 24, 12noon-5pm. The party is a celebration of the swim earlier that day. You can buy tickets to the party, at the home of composer and Out 100 honoree Nathan Barr, at the Equality California [...]
High school swimmer, 16, starts blog as part of coming out process
“Sam I Am” is a new blog written by Sam, a 16-year-old high school junior in Pennsylvania. In ninth grade he was on the school swim team, but he quit his sophomore season, feeling inadequate and lonely, which he chalks up to wrestling with his sexuality. Sam now intends to rejoin his swim team this [...]
Moment #30: Athens Summer Olympics has 11 out athletes
Part of Outsports’ series on our 100 most important moments in gay sports history. Olympics, 2004. There had been the occasional out athlete at the Olympics before, but 2004 was a coming out party for Olympians. All told at least 11 openly gay athletes participated in the Olympics in the birthplace of the Games. From [...]
‘Get Wet’ in Palm Springs Sept. 3
Equality California is hosting its second Swim For Equality Sept. 24 in Malibu. Supporters and participants of the swim include Olympic gold medalists Gary Hall, Lenny Krayzelburg and Greg Louganis. Anyone interested in participating in one of the swims should head over to the EQCA site. Mike Holtz, whom we’ve written about several times on [...]
Diana Nyad quits her Cuba to Florida swim
For a year people have been talking about out lesbian swimmer Diana Nyad’s reported attempt to break a world record and swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. She set off into the water from Cuba Sunday night. On Monday night, she ended the swim halfway to her destination. Her team Tweeted: Realizing [...]