Cool! Maybe DNA can do an article on this guy. Nice bod, like all divers have.
posted by rbghawaii on 25-May-2008 3:48
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Countdown To The Olympics: Australian Diver Matthew Mitcham Comes Out
Matthew Mitcham
Date: 24-May-2008
Come August, 20-year-old Australian diver Matthew Mitcham will do what no Australian athlete has ever done before: compete in an Olympic Games after coming out as gay.
In an exclusive interview wit the Sydney Morning Herald today, Matthew confirmed his homosexuality, the love and support of his partner Lachlan, and his battles with stress and depression that saw him quit the sport nine months ago.
Matthew also showed plenty of game at a pre-Beijing meet recently by beating out two Chinese favourites in a thrilling 10 metre platform dive. (See a clip of Matthew in action below).
Matthew has also applied for funding to allow Lachlan to accompany him to Beijing.
The Herald reports: Matthew has also applied for a grant through a Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program to have Lachlan near him in Beijing.
"We can't afford for Lachlan to go at the moment," he told the Herald. "But Johnson & Johnson offer grants to go to Beijing and I've nominated Lachlan as the support person I want to go."
The Herald also recounted Matthew's triumph just over a week ago in Fort Lauderdale. Mitcham stood 10 metres high with the fierce wind whistling in his ears and battling trying conditions. "When I was whizzing around, the sky is the same colour as the water. I was freaking out. It was the first time I had dived outside since I left the sport."
His performance was astonishing. Mitcham beat two top Chinese divers who will challenge him for gold. When he saw his four perfect 10s he whooped and leaped on the pool deck.
Finally, the man who had battled anxiety and depression as a teenager, taking medication and seeing psychologists, had arrived on the world stage. And it proved the time he spent away from the sport last year had been worth it. Mitcham's premature retirement had been a chaotic and unusual time when he "partied" and lived without regimen.
In an exclusive interview wit the Sydney Morning Herald today, Matthew confirmed his homosexuality, the love and support of his partner Lachlan, and his battles with stress and depression that saw him quit the sport nine months ago.
Matthew also showed plenty of game at a pre-Beijing meet recently by beating out two Chinese favourites in a thrilling 10 metre platform dive. (See a clip of Matthew in action below).
Matthew has also applied for funding to allow Lachlan to accompany him to Beijing.
The Herald reports: Matthew has also applied for a grant through a Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program to have Lachlan near him in Beijing.
"We can't afford for Lachlan to go at the moment," he told the Herald. "But Johnson & Johnson offer grants to go to Beijing and I've nominated Lachlan as the support person I want to go."
The Herald also recounted Matthew's triumph just over a week ago in Fort Lauderdale. Mitcham stood 10 metres high with the fierce wind whistling in his ears and battling trying conditions. "When I was whizzing around, the sky is the same colour as the water. I was freaking out. It was the first time I had dived outside since I left the sport."
His performance was astonishing. Mitcham beat two top Chinese divers who will challenge him for gold. When he saw his four perfect 10s he whooped and leaped on the pool deck.
Finally, the man who had battled anxiety and depression as a teenager, taking medication and seeing psychologists, had arrived on the world stage. And it proved the time he spent away from the sport last year had been worth it. Mitcham's premature retirement had been a chaotic and unusual time when he "partied" and lived without regimen.
7 comments, 1509 views, last reply:30-May-2008 11:20
Comments:
Had to smile when I read this.
One of the ladies I work with has a daughter who used to dive, and she tried to get me to go with her to the Olympic Trials when they were held in Hobart a couple of months ago. Her sales pitch basically was: "Seriously, they're gay. All of them!".
Damned if she wasn't right.
posted by MC on 25-May-2008 8:43
Its nice to see young Matthew back in the sport I hope he does very well and I also have depression so I can understand
what he has to go through with work and school both being places of violence and harassment.
So here,s to young Matthew Mitcham
Good Luck and All the best
Cheers
posted by johnboy450 on 25-May-2008 18:03
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if the grant for lachlan to go doesn't eventuate maybe DNA readers could make donations to help.
posted by Albie on 25-May-2008 20:28
Good Luck Matthew. Keep your head up and keep smiling
posted by sailor2015 on 28-May-2008 16:20
What a great Story...Michael is a hero. If J&J doesn't help with expenses for Michaels' Partner to go to THE GAMES; then someone should set up a way for DNA readers to contribute. PAUL
posted by windowsbypaul on 30-May-2008 9:28
I'd love to see DNA do a fundraiser of some sort for Matthew so that he can take his boyfriend to Bejing with him.
posted by cashmerebeanie on 30-May-2008 11:20
www.wearitout.com.au
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