British diver in open water, openly gay Tom Daley has become the Olympic gold medalist of “Tokyo 2020″.
” I am very proud to be gay and at the same time an Olympic champion. In my youth I thought I could not achieve anything because of who I was. The Olympic championship really proves that everything can be achieved.”
Thirteen years after his first Olympics, freshly out of the pool, stunned and wet, athlete still managed to earn a standing ovation. Daley and his partner Matt Lim did an amazing performance on a synchronous ten-meter platform jump, beating the Chinese pair – Chao Yuan and Shen Aisen – by one point.
After winning bronze medals in London and Rio, the gold medal was another success for Daley. This period coincided exactly with his marriage to film producer Dustin Lance Black and the birth of their son, Robbie.
After the victory, Daley spoke about the pressure he experienced after becoming the center of public attention. ” As for queer athletes, there are far more openly gay athletes in the current Olympics than before. I came out in 2013 when I was younger, I always had the feeling that I was different – as if I could never be good enough, as society wanted me to be. I hope any LGBT person who sees that no matter how lonely you feel right now, you are not alone. You can achieve everything. ”
His speech in front of Chinese and Russian athletes was especially important as the media of both countries covered his words. Same-sex marriage is not legal in these countries. A Chinese journalist asked Dale a question about his son, to which he replied: “It was the most amazing journey that changed my life. I can’t wait, to go back to my husband and son, to hug them and celebrate this amazing news together.”
Daley was also asked questions about his father, who died when Daley was 17 years old. Father Dale was a major supporter. ” In 2011, when my father died, it was very difficult for me. He could not see my Olympic gold, my marriage, my son, he could not teach me to drive a car, we never drank beer together – none of it happened. Finally, when I became an Olympic champion, especially after Rio 2016, I was very disappointed with my individual performance. After that, my husband told me that the story does not end here and that my son will see how I can become an Olympic champion.”
photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
