10/07/2008
Matthew Mitcham Sad to Be the Only 'Out' Male at the Olympics
Australian gold medalist Matthew Mitcham held his first press conference since the Beijing Olympics yesterday and said he was saddened by the fact that he was the only openly gay male athlete at the Games:
"I was actually very surprised I was the only 'out' male at the Olympic Games. It's a little bit sad I think, because statistically there should be a lot more but, you know what, it's each to one's own. I'm not going to pressure anybody else to come out of the closet because it's their own choice. But I'm proud to be there, proud to be that one, that lots of other people can look up to."
Mitcham recently signed with Ian Thorpe's manager Dave Flaskas, who says he'll manage his career similarly: "The strategy for Matthew will be worked in the same template as it is for Thorpey, Cadel Evans, Leisel [Jones]. They all have different challenges, they all have different personalities, it's not going to be a quick grab for deals [but] obviously there is a priority because of the financial situation."
There were rumors that Mitcham had signed with Australian swimwear designer Aussiebum, but as of today, those are still just rumors.
Posted 11:30 AM EST by Andy Towle in Australia, Matthew Mitcham, News, Sports | Permalink
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He's such a cutie with such a great personality (and a pretty smokin' bod) ... if I had any sort of apparel company I'd be all over Matt. Figuratively of course! (And what a figure...)
I'd love to see if he could do for a company what Will Kemp did for the Gap's "Keep it Loose" campaign several years ago. He had people buzzing at the water coolers about a jeans commercial - without taking off his clothes. Not bad for a ballet dancer. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6ap5WW80yg
Posted by: sparks | Oct 7, 2008 12:34:18 PM
Leisel Jones' challenge: She is dog ugly. Her face couldn't sell dog food, honestly.
Posted by: Dan B | Oct 7, 2008 1:35:19 PM
I like that he's proud "But I'm proud to be there, proud to be that one, that lots of other people can look up to."
Great kid!
Posted by: Mike | Oct 7, 2008 1:44:25 PM
genetically men have sex on the mind a lot, but seriously? What do "tongue and cheek", as well as out right creepy comments about the subject of a story have to do with anything. Eliminate that first sentence and it would seem like you care about what the post is about rather than his smokin' bod. What if because he is an out gay man, that companies don't want to associate him with their products? Is that being homophobic or just trying to be a successful company. Are other athletes not out because they view the Olympics as a competition where is it about a team and not a single person? Is it a bad thing to not want people to know you as the gay athlete, but just an athlete?
Posted by: steven | Oct 7, 2008 1:57:43 PM
Matthew, I'm sad, too, that you're the only 'out' male Olympic athlete NOT SITTING ON MY FACE!
Steven- Matthew should be any company's spokesperson because he's A) an amazingly talented athlete, B) he's an open, honest, gay man, and C) that Suh-MOKin' hot bod. In that order, and that order only. So relax.
Posted by: JeffRob | Oct 7, 2008 2:05:24 PM
I agree completely. but why is he not getting an endorsement deal? just saying he should doesn't increase his chances of getting one. I really want to know why he hasn't? it's disturbing, and rather than talking about his looks, I kind of would like to know what other people think the reasoning behind all of it is. and yes he does have an extremely hot body.
Posted by: steven | Oct 7, 2008 2:16:23 PM
Thanks for coming out, and for the photo ops. :-D
But he is right though. Umm, diver and gymnasts? Yeah.
Posted by: Brian | Oct 7, 2008 6:03:06 PM
Matts a hero just that simple endorsements should just come his way
Posted by: alan brickman | Oct 7, 2008 11:28:34 PM
Speaking from a sociological perspective, I can say that there are certain careers, as well as sports, that attract gay men. Swimming seems to be one, as does gymnastics and tennis. A thought I just had--these are all individual events, as opposed to football and that ilk. Perhaps this is an expression of how many gay men see themselves--it's me against the world.
Posted by: David Ezell | Oct 8, 2008 8:30:01 AM