Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano, one of the athletes appointed by President Barack Obama to represent the United States at the Sochi Olympics, announced Thursday that he is gay.
“I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am,” Boitano said in a statement, as quoted by USA Today.
“First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance,” he continued. “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 an Olympic gold medal in figure skating in 1988. He joins two other openly gay athletes, tennis icon Billie Jean King and hockey player Caitlin Cahow, in the official U.S. delegation.
The White House did not address Russia’s anti-“gay propaganda” law in its announcement, although a spokesman touted the delgation’s diversity.
