Brian Boitano Comes Out of the Closet as He Leads the US Olympic Team to Russia

12/20/2013 9:30 PM

DM – A third athlete on the American Olympic delegation has revealed that he is gay. Figure skater Brian Boitano announced that he is homosexual in a statement released today in response to his inclusion on the presidential delegation to Sochi, where Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws will be in effect. ‘I am many things: a son, a brother and uncle, an athlete, a cook, an author and being gay is just one part of who I am,’ the 1988 Olympic gold medalist wrote.‘First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance.’… He had never addressed his personal life before today, but felt compelled to do so in light of the Sochi Games. ‘It has been my experience from competing around the world and in Russia that Olympic athletes can come together in friendship, peace and mutual respect regardless of their individual country’s practices,’ he wrote.

I have two takeaways from this. First: Brian Boitano is gay? Interesting. I had no idea. I’ve been a fan of his since he won gold at Calgary almost 26 years ago. I’ve seen him compete as a pro and watched his TV specials and I never picked up on that. No big deal, obviously. If Barstool stands for anything it’s for gay tolerance and acceptance. I’m just saying that I have to have the worst gaydar on the planet. Oh, well.

The second thing is I love that the US is sending a gay delegation to Sochi to send the Russians they can’t tell our athletes who they can bang and who they can’t. We’re calling in our Rainbow Warriors to stick our freedoms right in the Russians’ faces and push the issue. Right down their throats if necessary, until they learn to accept our way of life. They don’t have to like it, but we’re coming. They can turn their backs on our Olympic team all they want but there’s nothing they can do to stop us. And I can’t think of a better guy to lead the way than a true gay Olympic champ like him. What would Brian Boitano do? He would kick an ass or two.