11/26/2008
Matthew Mitcham Wins Sports Performer of the Year Award
Gay gold-winning Olympian Matthew Mitcham won a big sports award in Melbourne, Australia last night:
"The 20-year-old was one of eight elite athletes shortlisted for the award but his heroics in claiming individual gold in the men's 10m platform event at the 2008 Games was deemed the most worthy of recognition. Pole vaulter Steve Hooker, triathlete Emma Snowsill, swimmer Stephanie Rice and kayaker Ken Wallace were the other Australian individual gold medallists to be shortlisted, while surfer Stephanie Gilmore, ironman Craig Alexander and AFL goalkicking superstar Lance Franklin were also in contention for the top individual award. While judges had the luxury of compiling a shortlist of candidates, readers were left with the task of judging whose sporting feats were the most worthy."
While it's difficult to revisit that award-winning dive on YouTube, we can erevisit an interview he made just after winning Olympic gold, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 12:40 PM EST by Andy Towle in Australia, Matthew Mitcham, News, Sports | Permalink
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So the Australian public (or at least Australians who can read...) voted an openly gay athlete as their Sports Performer of the year? That's brilliant. Mitcham's performance at the Olympics and his personal story make this a well-deserved honor.
Posted by: Smartypants | Nov 26, 2008 1:08:04 PM
Agreed with SMARTYPANTS. The idea of masculinity is so threatened by gay people in the US that we won't let them formalize their love legally, but the Aussies will give sports' highest honor to a gay man.
Posted by: Dan B | Nov 26, 2008 1:19:35 PM
if this young man could be any sweeter, he would send me into a shuga-beeties shock. that big boyfriend of his better appreciate him.
Posted by: nic | Nov 26, 2008 1:28:13 PM
He's marvelous and only 20. He could have a few more Olympic Games in him.
The DNA Magazine with him on the cover just hit news stands in the States. I bought it to support Matt. Nice pics and article as well.
I hope there are some great big endorsements coming his way and that he makes the speaker circuit around the US.
Thank you for featuring this recognition for a remarkable young man.
Posted by: Scott | Nov 26, 2008 1:55:17 PM
There is nothing masculine about this "guy", so I hardly think he is threatening anyone's masculinity. It is impossible to look more gay.
Posted by: Larry | Nov 26, 2008 2:12:53 PM
Congratulation to Mitcham! No one deserves that award more than him.
His diving performance and upstanding behavior at the Summer Olympics brought tears to my eyes.
Posted by: Tread | Nov 26, 2008 2:22:49 PM
I found video of the dive, but not the kiss with his boyfriend.
Enjoy.
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/matthew%2Bmitcham/video/x6jv7c_matthew-mitcham-final-dive-beijing
Posted by: James C | Nov 26, 2008 2:35:27 PM
fuck you, LARRY. What an idiotic thing to say. and with the fucking quotation marks...
Posted by: Dan B | Nov 26, 2008 3:09:11 PM
Damn, LARRY, we almost had DAN B in a good mood--then you had to set him off again...by saying something stupid. Apologize, NOW!
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Nov 26, 2008 3:14:14 PM
Congrats Matt once again.
Posted by: Bill | Nov 26, 2008 3:41:26 PM
He's so cute, and his diving was so "seemingly" effortless.
I think Aussies also appreciate how he undermined the near-Chinese "sweep" in diving.
Sydney in 2002 was simply wonderful, and their aquatics center is a great facility. Aussies love their swimmers the way U.S. fans love football players, gay str8 or whatever.
Posted by: Jim Provenzano | Nov 26, 2008 4:00:36 PM
He's so dreamy, and all man, far as I can tell. Congrats to him on his kickass year!
Posted by: JeffRob | Nov 26, 2008 4:53:22 PM
He also was named Australian GQ's sportsman of the year.
good on ya Matthew
Posted by: howard | Nov 26, 2008 5:18:10 PM
Really masculine? I do not think so. But he is very cute. Congrats to him on all his hard work paying off.
Posted by: jc chicago | Nov 26, 2008 8:37:42 PM
He's not easily confused with toenail painting NFL linemen.
Posted by: anon | Nov 26, 2008 10:02:03 PM
I voted for Matthew in this, along with the rest of my gay swim team. Hopefully this will help him secure some more sponsorship dollars.
Posted by: Jay | Nov 27, 2008 12:21:21 AM
the question, then, is what defines a man? courage under fire? courage against all odds? self-depreciation in victory? this handsome hero is all man.
Posted by: nic | Nov 27, 2008 6:54:46 AM
Masculinity doesn't define a man. He's absolutely adorable, and seems confident in his own shoes, and that's what's important.
Posted by: Brendan | Nov 28, 2008 3:22:17 PM