Tomás González, Chilean Olympic Gymnast, Comes Out as Gay
"I suppose it is no longer an issue, but yes, I am gay," Chilean gymnast Tomás González, 36, told the website Latercera. "And if it is about making it public, I prefer to do it in this book," he said, referring to his autobiography, called "Champion: Lessons, triumphs and falls of an Olympic gymnast."
"González competed at the 2012 London, 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but did not medal, with his best finish being fourth in two events in 2012. He has won numerous medals at the Pan-Am Games and South American Games," OutSports said.
But he doesn't want people to think this is a political move.
"I try to contribute to society from sport ... but actively participating in politics does not interest me. Obviously, I'm always going to be supporting people. As long as there are equal rights for all, I will support it. But going public with that goal was never my goal."
He realized he was gay when he 24, but coming from a traditional family led him to undergo trauma.
"I cried a lot those days," he said, according to OutSports. "I was in the process of coming to terms with myself as a homosexual and I felt that a part of me was dying too."
He also experienced abuse in the sport, which he said reflects the problems of society. "Machismo and homophobia are problems that exist in society and in the gym as well," he explained. He recalled when one of his coaches called him a "faggot" in 2007 after he fell during a competition. "I was willing to sacrifice my mental health in order to get to the Olympic Games," he said.
González has been in a relationship for six years and hopes to marry and have a family. "We all work, pay taxes, have a role in society. So, I want to have the same rights as any citizen. Regardless of any sexual orientation, we all have to have the same rights."
Check out pics from González's Instagram: