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Ring Of Honor

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He was, in his prime, one of the best American swimmers and, arguably, one of the best in the world.

Bruce Hayes, in 1984, won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, anchoring the U.S. men’s 4-by-200 freestyle relay team that came from behind, defeating West Germany’s Michael Gross by .04 seconds and setting a world record of 7:15.69.

The meet, and the medal he won, is still asked about on a regular basis. Not daily, but quite often, Hayes said.

“People are just fascinated with the Olympics,” said Hayes, who lives in New York City. “There’s a tremendous amount of curiosity about the Olympics, from the actual competition to things as simple as what the Olympic Village was like.

"People always want to see the medal.”

A San Antonio, Texas, native, Hayes was a successful age-group swimmer as a youngster who then excelled at UCLA. He was the highest-scoring freshman at the 1981 NCAA Championships, which helped the Bruins win the national title.

Hayes also won three gold medals at the 1983 Pan American Games in Venezuela.

“People think I should never lose, but that’s hard to do, especially as I get older,” said Hayes. “So, yes, there definitely is pressure. I think people are always watching me to see how I’ll do. I don’t like going to meets when I’m not prepared – for that exact reason, because then people ask what’s wrong.

“There are times I’ve been at meets when I just wish I was anonymous and could just do what everyone else does. It’d be nice to just go out there and have fun, but that doesn’t happen. But I don’t think I can do that.”

Not when you’re a world-renowned gay athlete, like Hayes.

Hayes will be in Chicago this summer for Gay Games VII, which kicks off July 15 – and will be Hayes’ third Gay Games, though his first since 1994.

“I’m sure Chicago will do a great job; it will be a great Games. I’m really excited, especially after missing the last two. I know it will be a fun experience,” Hayes said. “The Gay Games are a life-changing experience for a lot of people. People don’t really realize all that there is to the Gay Games. It’s not just the athletic competition; it’s all of these people coming together from all over the world and this really positive environment.

“If you’ve ever been in sports and felt alienated or not welcome, the Gay Games is a really great experience, something you have to experience. Many gay people don’t feel comfortable participating, competing or being on a team, but the Gay Games gives people the opportunity to overcome those fears, those obstacles. Plus, the Games are just a lot of fun.

“The Gay Games isn’t just about the participants; it’s also about the people who participate in the cultural aspect of the Games, plus friends and fans. I always like to meet other people at the Gay Game, though especially other swimmers.”

Hayes said he’s most excited for the Opening Ceremony, to be held at Soldier Field. He also wants a first-hand account of the same-sex figure skating. “It will be interesting to see pairs of men or women skating together,” he said.

Hayes will be participating in freestyle events this summer, which is different from the events he usually swims, such as the backstroke or IM. Hayes said he focusing more on the distance events because, “they’re a little easier to do than the sprints as you get older.”

His Gay Games goal is simple: “I would like to win some events in my age-group.”

And, despite his worldwide success, Hayes admits he’s nervous for the Games.

Hayes competed in the 1990 Gay Games in Vancouver and in 1994 in New York City. He set five 25-meter short-course Masters world records at Gay Games IV, and became the first Masters swimmer to break 4:00 in the 400-meter freestyle.

“When I went to the Gay Games in 1990, I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said. “I was recruited by the New York gay swim team (in 1990) because they heard that I was living in New York at the time. I had only been out of competitive swimming for about six years at the time, so that was a little scary. I didn’t know what people were going to say, or think. Nonetheless, I knew participating in the Gay Games was something I really wanted to do. And I’m glad I did; it was a great experience, a really wonderful experience.”

Hayes worked with the New York organizing committee in 1994, helping with publicity, fund-raising, media, and more. He also competed, of course.

“I really, really trained for that event and was in great shape for that event. And then I just swam really, really well. That was really enjoyable event,” Hayes said. “I swam much faster than I ever thought I would. Being a New York native, plus having worked on the event, those facts made the (New York) Games very gratifying to me.”

 

Quoting Bruce Hayes:

ON LIVING IN SPAIN:
“That was a really, really great experience, though different than what I expected. Leaving your friends and family, your home, etc., is very disorienting. So, the first six months were very dramatic. But, I feel as though I made a lot of friends and really feel as though I got a different viewpoint on things than when I went there.”

ON BEING A GAY GAMES AMBASSADOR:
“I’m very honored. I’m a huge supporter of the Gay Games, and have been ever since I first competed in the Games. If my background or my experience, helps the Gay Games movement to grow, continue and be successful, then I’m happy to do it.”

April 17, 2006