When Matthew Mitcham greeted the media after winning his 10-meter platform diving gold, he raced over to hug reporter Jessica Halloran of the Sydney Morning Herald, who wrote Mitcham’s coming out story with great sensitivity back in May. Halloran followed up today with the only article I could find that discusses Mitcham’s relationship with his partner, Lachlan Flecther.
He kissed him briefly in the stands and gave him his Olympic bouquet. Later, outside the glowing blue Water Cube, Matthew Mitcham and his partner, Lachlan Fletcher, firmly embraced, both shedding tears. …
Carefully nursing Mitcham’s Olympic bouquet, Fletcher spoke of the incredible journey that the diver had taken to the top. Fletcher has been the one constant over the past two years.
He was his rock when Mitcham retired in his late teenage years suffering anxiety and depression. He watched him become a stunt diver at the Sydney Royal Easter show, supported his fight back into the sport and now to win Olympic gold.
“It’s been so up and down,” Fletcher said. “When I first met him, he was pretty unhappy, he wasn’t liking the diving in Brisbane at all, he didn’t want to do it, wasn’t happy being there”
The story chronicles how Mitcham, despite being proudly gay, was nonetheless worried about whether his sexual orientation would overshadow his diving.
“The biggest thing he was worried about was people paying more attention to that than his actually diving,” Fletcher said. “And I suppose that kind of did happen a little bit. Hopefully, now it won’t be so much of an issue any more.”
Mitcham’s orientation will still be of interest simply because out athletes are still relatively rare. For all time, though, the record books will not focus on that, but simply state: “GOLD –MATTHEW MITCHAM, AUSTRALIA.”
By Jim Buzinski
17 responses so far ↓
1 Glenn I // Aug 24, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Yay! How sweet. “When I first met him he was pretty unhappy…” Then something happened — and he wasn’t unhappy anymore!
2 Elina // Aug 24, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Why oh why does the fact that a person is gay or lesbian have to be such an issue for some people? I just don’t get it.Mr. Mitcham seems to me to be an accomplished diver who is well-loved by his family and partner. My most sincere congratulations to him for his success!!!
3 Craig // Aug 24, 2008 at 2:49 pm
We all would love to live in a world where it’s not an issue. but we aren’t in that world. Putting our heads int he sand saying we shouldn’t highlight these stories because that them makes us the one making it an issue would be a perverse way to address making our lives and accomplishes a non brainer when being discussed. The thing that gets me here is that if NBC had simply shown it there would be no controversey.
4 Sten // Aug 24, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I really like this website, but I don’t understand how in the previous post, you guys were complaining about how NBC ignored his sexuality, but then in this one you are glad they didn’t focus on it. Sooo, how are you going to have your cake and eat it too? Pick a side and stick to it, but don’t make things harder for everyone else by complaining about everything.
5 thomas // Aug 24, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I am so happy for this young diver. He is above all a champion, but he is also charming,unassuming, humble, adorable and his personality simply shines. This young man is a role model for all young athletes who have doubts or second thoughts about their talents. I watched his behavior at the medal ceremony and right after. That video brought tears to my eyes. I, along with millions of others, love this guy.
6 Steven // Aug 24, 2008 at 9:07 pm
As an athlete who gave up his sport partly because of pressure about sexuality and coming out issues, I am proud that a young Australian is confident enough to say to the world, “I am an athlete,judge that and get over the fact that I’m gay. Pity more sports people can’t feel confident enough to do the same and provide role models, like Matthew, to prove to the world that we are EXACTLY the same as them. What exactly do the sponsors fear?
7 David // Aug 24, 2008 at 9:52 pm
You have to love this guy. I’m pleased that he’s out and proud and that he will be judged on his ability and not just his orientation. It’s going to help others in the future. Perhaps someday no one will give a rat’s butt about a person’s sexuality one way or other.
8 Madame_Bavaria // Aug 24, 2008 at 10:14 pm
OMG! Now that’s what I call a true relationship fuelled by pure love and undying support. Matthew was depressed, he became tired of the sport and decided to take a break, but this man, Lachlan, has been definitely one of the rocks in his life…encouraging him to a great comeback to the sport he loves and to which he’s dedicated all his life. He believed in his talent and has been one of the main reasons Matthew needed to find himself with his sport and to shine like thr gold medal he won in Beijing.And having the balls of being the first top male athlete to come out en an homophobic world like sports, just sums it all up for me!!
And kudos to that reporter too…I’ve re-read her stories regarding Matthew and all of them are handled in a wonderful way…very sensitive and supporting :)As a straight female journalist myself, I would have done everything to be at that girl’s place…to be hugged by him *.* Yes, I’ve got an Olympic crush on him and I’m jealous :S
9 Joe Wilcock // Aug 24, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I’ m so proud of Matt. Who would not have a crush on this inspiring man?
10 Justin Gerber // Aug 25, 2008 at 3:29 am
I salute Matthew Mitcham as a hero of the Gay Nation. How fortunate that Australia has such talent and leadership. Gay Youth around the planet desperately need masculine leaders to inspire them to become leaders. As an American, I am ashamed that not one member of our Olympic team had the sportsmanship and machismo to provide leadership to our Gay Sons. Although I do not know how many members of our team were Gay, there must have been many.The concentration camp, the mental prison of the closet must be destroyed! In the race for president of these god-awful United States, Ralph Nader is one of the candidates in the general election. Ralph Nader is Gay, and there must be a campaign to force him out of the closet!My site: http://GayNation.INFO has articles about Gay Marriage, Barack Obama, and a user posting system!
11 Leisa // Aug 25, 2008 at 6:02 am
Good Lord - he is NOT the first to be openly gay - just the first to be promoted as such - have a chat with Matt Helm - Athens Silver 10m. Openly Gay and just simply overlooked as such because he didn’t bring a male partner to the games.Cheers for Matt Helm and Matt Mitcham and boos to Jessica Halloran for once again not researching her topic.
12 Doug // Aug 25, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Matthew is a hero and an inspiration, and the fact that he is gay is absolute icing on the cake. Hooray for him!!!
13 Bill Michael // Aug 26, 2008 at 2:07 am
You make us all proud, Matt. Best Always…!!!
14 Martin // Aug 26, 2008 at 2:52 am
Wow Matt. You are the best! Keep going strong. What an inspiration!
Best wishes from your supporters in South Africa.
15 David // Aug 26, 2008 at 4:47 am
Congratulations - having the courage to be openly gay and have your partner supporting you all the way.Winning is the NEWS - congratulations on a fantastic achievementy - loved watching you winDavid
16 J. Harper // Aug 28, 2008 at 4:10 pm
It is a big deal that his sexuality was ignored by NBC.
Any straight couple that would have embraced and/or kissed wouldn’t have gotten a second thought.
But, NOOOO - they can’t show (or discuss how nice it is) when Matthew and Lachlan embrace and give a even a pec on the lips/cheek. Or important Lachlan’s support was. (Like any other significant other.)
It’ shouldn’t be a big deal. But it is because it is intentionally put to the side by the media and public.
17 J. Harper // Aug 28, 2008 at 4:15 pm
All I can add is that when I found out he won, I was working so I didn’t get to see the dive right away.
I did however send him a note, immediately, congradulating him. I was so excited for him!
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