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Loading ...Out Australian Diver Matthew Mitcham Wins Olympic Gold
08.23.2008 5:26pm EDT
In a shocking upset, openly gay Australian diver Matthew Mitcham, 20, has won the Olympic gold medal in the men’s 10m platform at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Going into the final round, Mitcham trailed China’s Zhou Luxin by more than 30 points.But Mitcham scored an astonishing 112.10 on his last dive — a back two and a half somersault with two and a half twists — to earn four perfect 10s and win the gold medal, with an overall score of 537.95 to Zhou’s 533.15.
Mitcham’s gold medal dive
Mitcham earned the highest scoring dive in the history of the Olympics with his sixth and final dive, and became Australia’s first male Olympic gold medallist in diving since 1924. His win earned Australia their second diving medal of the Games, and broke China’s long winning streak in Olympic diving.
Mitcham almost didn’t compete in the Games. He walked away from diving in 2006, battling depression and burnout, but returned to the sport 9 months later, determined to compete at the Olympics.
He came out in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald in May, citing his partner Lachlan as part of the "little support network has made my dream possible."
Although there are 13 openly gay or bi women among the competitors at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Mitcham is the only openly gay male athlete competing in the Games.
Up until the last dive, even Mitcham thought he had a slim chance at taking the lead from the Chinese. “I wasn’t even sure of my medal chances at all," he told reporters after the win. "After I did my last dive and I saw I was in first, I thought, “That’s it, it’s a silver medal, I am so happy with this’ and then I won. I can’t believe it, I’m so happy.”
Mitcham reacts to news of his gold medal win
“Coming back and doing everything that I did was to win an Olympic gold medal," he told reporters after the win. "That was my aim when I was training every single day, twice a day, 11 sessions a week, 30 hours a week, before every single dive, it was like `I want to win Olympic gold’ and that made me try my hardest in every single training session for the last year and a half."
Mitcham is awarded the gold medal
“It’s going to take a while to sink in," Mitcham added. "My cheeks hurt from smiling. My face hurts from the chlorine. My legs are sore from jumping up and down. I’m in pain and I’m tired. But I’m so happy.”
Celebrating the win
he’s so cute
i am very happy that matthew won gold at the olympics but i am angry at nbc for their limited coverage of his win. during the telecast they mention he had personal and family troubles but never mention that he is openly gay and was giving the title to china already before his dive was complete. it seem to me that the announcers were shocked that he won. the crowd was stunned but other then that i am proud that finally a ay man can be saltued for doing something special that can never be taken away.
Thinking of Greg Louganis “Breaking the surface”.
Seoul 1988
Congratulations, Matthew!!! I am so happy for you!!! You deserve every ounce of gold you won, times 1,000!! Thank for for being out, open, and proud! You are an inspiration to all the young athletes of this generation just has Greg Louganis was to mine.
Shame on NBC Sports for not including including your family and parter in the medial ceremony coverage! Shame!
The community in the US asks GLAAD what will it do to address NBC homophobia? Ask GLAAD yourself.
super win and story
Congrats and well deserved.
Having read this article before NBC’s late night telecast of Matt’s win, I was so enamoured by his personal strength and charisma.
After watching NBC’s horrifying censorship of Mathew’s struggles, journey and self-truth I have come to one conclusion:
Time to BOYCOTT NBC and any other networks who refuse to get with the program!
They spend millons of dollars making sure we ALL know how heterosexual all the other athletes are. Countless bios and kudos to those who are married, have children etc. Same with their gleaming gold crucifixes dangling at the end of thick gold chains wagging in the sun as these athletes huddle in group prayer or point skywards to an empty god whom they claim aided their victory. The same god who assuredly assisted in helping the losers lose.
But as we ALL know there were many out and proud gays and lesbians at the games, one has to ask oneself:
Why the Censorship? Because homophobia rages on at the highest level of of the media barons in american society.
So, NBC. Now here this: I will not watch another program on your station affiliates unless you correct this. You have ONE DAY.
If we have not heard a single word about Mathew’s life during your recap of these games in tonight’s closing cerimonies, then games over!
No more 30 Rock. No more Americas Got Talent, No Heros, No Comics, No Apprentic, no Leno, no SNL, no more… Until you seriously redress the grievences of our community. You treat us like Pariahs and feign Shame!
If NBC does not do this tonight, I will stay away from their programs and their advertisers. I encourage others here to do the same. It’s time for them to put Up or shut up.
Deal? Or No Deal?
Great job Matthew! in my book you have won more then just Gold, you won respect, honor and love. Keep going!
Roger, let us all know how that works for ya.
Congratulations,see you in other events until London. Next to Steve Irwin you’re my man. Peace brother.
Congradulations to Gay hero Matthew Mitcham, you’re an inspiration to all.
Lachlan, Matthews partner was there to share his win courtesy of a $5,000 travel grant from Johnson & Johnson’s Athlete Family Support Program.
RIGHT ON!!!!
Keep up the good work!
I was surprised at how deeply moved I was to hear about Matthew’s triumph. Seriously, I want a poster of that picture of him with his arms upraised and the most amazingly beatific smile on his face. What a moment for him!
If this is any consolation, NBC does mention him being gas on their olympics website: http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=1168/bio/
I meant “him being gay.” Sorry for the typo (this new laptop keyboard sucks).