On behalf of the member sport and cultural organisations of the international Federation of Gay Games, we offer our hearty congratulations to Matthew Mitcham for his outstanding accomplishment in winning the 10-metre platform diving event at Beijing's 2008 Olympic Games.
Matthew's public story is still only a few months' old, but it traveled particularly quickly through the LGBT community and we became instant fans. As we followed this out-and-proud Olympian through the Internet, on television and via the print media, it was heartening to see that he was able to refocus after the 3-metre springboard contest and repeat his recent international success in the 10-metre tower event when it counted the most.
Australia's mainstream media was exemplary in covering Matthew's coming out and his quest to have his partner join him in Beijing. During Matthew's competition and subsequent win, the Australian media treated Matthew's support group on equal footing with those of his Olympic teammates. However, we note that in most of the rest of the world the mainstream media completely ignored or buried this groundbreaking story.
For years we have seen journalists ponder what would happen when an athlete came out before competing at the highest levels. There is some irony that, when the occasion finally presented itself, the gay athlete performed and the straight media backed down.
While Matthew represents an attitude change among a new generation, the media's mixed treatment of his unique situation shows there is still much to accomplish. The Federation of Gay Games will continue to do its part, raising mainstream consciousness about these issues in ways that help LGBT athletes of all levels of ability reach their goals.
Matthew has achieved a rare, dream Olympics result. His life will surely change, and we believe the humor, humility and presence of mind he's shown in the past few weeks demonstrate that he will handle it very well. We welcome him to the LGBT sports community and look forward to applauding him for many years to come.
Sincerely yours,
Sion O'Connor Emy Ritt
Co-Presidents, Federation of Gay Games
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