With the 2024 Olympics set to kick off this week, we are excited that one of our favorite Olympic athletes is back competing — German diver Timo Barthel, international man of sexual mystery.
We first encountered Barthel at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when we were compiling our list of out LGBTQ athletes. After a reader pointed out the diver wearing a Pride shirt and a message saying “humanity” with a rainbow emoji, we thought we could add another to the list.
But it was not to be.
We asked Barthel if he identified as gay (his Instagram account, now with it’s 85k followers, also had a rainbow emoji at the time) and he told us: “Hey, I am not given a name. Human is human. It’s doesn’t matter which side you attracted to and It doesn’t matter which skin color you have. Human is human.”
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Given his answer and our criteria for making the out Olympians list, we decided to not add him.
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Fast-forward to 2024 and we decided to ask Barthel, 28, again if he was gay, straight or still just human and he replied: “Never change your mind. Humanity is what counts. And love is love,” he replied. “Doesn’t matter which direction.” His message ended with a red heart and rainbow emoji.
I find his answers very engaging even if they are humorously evasive. He is very earnest in his replies and has the right to identify as he sees fit. That’s the essence of what we ask of all people.
On the other hand, he seems to tease us without telling us, posting Instagram photos of a bus with rainbow colors and one of him with U.S. diver Tyler Downs titled “date night” with a heart emoji.
It all makes it easy to speculate and Barthel’s social media certainly shows that he caters mostly to men, and, to a lesser degree, women. His TikTok is mostly videos of him diving; ditto Instagram and Twitter, where it’s a lot of him in posing or competing in a diving brief (understandable since that’s his uniform).
It’s on OnlyFans where Barthel really sells the sizzle. To paraphrase the old TV ad, he’s might not be gay but he plays one on OnlyFans.
Consider some of his recent posts:
After taking too many pills I am getting fat.. I am not happy with my buddy right now. Hope to be in a better shape next week ♥️
PS : I got condoms today
On my way to 🇫🇷 Olympics are calling 📞
You can support me with tips ♥️
After Olympics I am selling my speedos 😋
Best fans has best chance ♥️
Love
Who wants to lick my sweat? I did strength training and then I went to the solarium
Are you ready for a collab ? (With girl )
Text me in IG : Collab Girl ♥️
Videos and photos are able 🫣🫢
Hot stuff ❤️🔥
A picture and a video are coming to you this evening. where I walk naked over my phone. It’s up to you whether you unlock it or no
Rate my butt in tip 🫢
1-10$ 🥵 10$ is perfect ♥️
Let me see how you like it, when you love it , I will see it and post more, maybe my front site after Olympics
There is nothing subtle about any of those (I doubt many women want a pair of used Speedos, but tons of men would), but I confess to not forking over the $15 monthly subscription fee to see what he actually showed.
When I asked him why he decided to do OnlyFans, Barthel was candid.
“I do it because it’s a very important financial support,” he said. “The real fans get something and I get support with money. We are not soccer players who earn millions with our sport. I gave all my life for the sport and so I am able for a little easier life. Money is not all, but can help a lot. I have to pay a lot for being able on top level as a diver. One hand wash the other.”
Aside from his hotness, it’s also important to note that Barthel is an elite diver; one doesn’t make two Olympics without talent. He will compete in the men’s 10-meter platform (July 29) and 10-meter synchronized diving (Aug. 10).
Barthel won’t be on our list of out Olympians, but he will always have a place in our heart as one of the best humans in Paris the next two weeks.
