In the above video interview, New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup talks about competing in the 2010 Olympic Games and the importance of LGBT visibility in sport. Skjellerup has taken the fight for visibility around the world and was in Toronto recently to promote PrideHouseTO, which has created an outdoor lounge where queer fans and their allies can watch the Sochi Games.

Four years ago, Blake Skjellerup was at the centre of the universe: the New Zealand speed skater was competing at the Vancouver Olympics. He was still partially in the closet, but while at the Games, he made up his mind to swing the door wide open.

Skjellerup missed competing in Sochi by one position. He was disappointed on many levels; his loss meant that there would be no openly gay men participating in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, he is continuing to push for LGBT visibility in sports and at the Olympics. Skjellerup was in Toronto recently to promote PrideHouseTO, which has created an outdoor lounge where queer fans and their allies can watch the Games.

Blake Skjellerup on being a gay Olympian

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