Olympic figure-skating gold medallist Brian Boitano, who will be part of the American delegation to the Sochi Winter Games, has announced he is gay, NBC Sports reports.
“While I am proud to play a public role in representing the American Olympic delegation as a former Olympic athlete,” Boitano says, “I have always reserved my private life for my family and friends and will continue to do so. I am many things: a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am.
“First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance. As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit, which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations.”
Boitano won Olympic gold at the 1988 Calgary Games.
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