London, England – British Olympic diver Tom Daley announced in a YouTube video that he is in a relationship with a man. He is the first British Olympic athlete to come out of the closet.
See the video after the jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJwJnoB9EKw
In the video, the 19-year-old seems to say that he is bisexual.
“Of course I still fancy girls but right now I’m dating a guy and I couldn’t be happier,” he said on the video.
He explains that he has been interested in his unidentified boyfriend for nearly a year.
“In spring this year my life changed massively when I met someone, and they make me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great,” he said. “That someone is a guy.”
Edward Lord, chairman of the Amateur Swimming Association, said: “To be one of the first British Olympic athletes to come out is very brave.”
According to the video, the relationship surprised Daley, who has never dated men before.
“It did take me by surprise a little bit. It was always in the back of my head that something like that could happen.” he said. “But it wasn’t until spring this year that something just clicked. It felt right and I thought ‘Okay’. And my whole world changed there and then.”
Lord encouraged followers of the sport of diving and other athletes to support Daley.
He said he hoped it would “be a signal not just to other sportspeople but to all young people that you can be open about your sexuality, even in a very public environment.
“I am very proud of Tom,” he added.
The video immediately went viral in England and is making gains in the United States as well thanks to LGBT rights organizations like Stonewall tweeting, “Moving and inspiring video from Tom Daley. A rol model for thousands of young people.”
The video also caught the attention of English soccer star Gary Lineker, who tweeted “Delighted that Tom Daley is happy in his new relationship. Well done for sharing it. Good luck to them both.”
Daley said his father Rob, who died of cancer aged 40 in 2011, always said to him: “As long as you are happy, I’m happy.”
He said in the video, “My mum has been so supportive as well.”
Daley said there had been “mixed opinions” from some friends and family when he told them that he was making the announcement.
“Lots of them did not believe it,” he said. “Lots of them wanted me to keep it quiet. I didn’t want to get my words twisted. I wanted to put an end to all the rumors and speculation, and just say it and tell you guys. It’s what I want to do.
“My friends and family are always there to support me and I hope you guys can be too. I mean I’m still Tom, I still want to win an Olympic gold medal in Rio 2016 for Great Britain. I am still as motivated as ever to do that. It would be great to have you guys on that journey, too.”
Daley won a bronze medal at the London Olympics in 2012.