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Hard to believe it's already four years since I dreamt about the Olympian spirit inside me - in more ways than one. As in Athens, eye candies abound but with the return of gay-friendly Canadian Alexandre Despatie (Out and About readers might still remember his full-package performance) and similar hot bodies, it's a no-brainer that diving will remain our favourite sport in Beijing.
And it gets even better this time. Apart from being easy on the eyes, Australia's openly gay Matthew Mitcham has a serious shot at diving medals. It's hard
not to compare him with the legendary Greg Louganis - who came out after winning Olympic golds back-to-back.
Mitcham is the only publicly out male athlete. On the female side, however, there are no less than 10 openly gay Olympians. Look out for Judith Arndt - Germany, cycling; Imke Duplitzer - Germany, fencing; Vicky Galindo - US, softball; Gro Hammerseng and Katja Nyberg - Norway, handball, and a lesbian couple; Natasha Kai - US, soccer; Lauren Lappin - US, softball; Victoria Svensson - Sweden, football; Rennae Stubbs - Australia, tennis; and Linda Bresonik - Germany, football.
Although reportedly many more gays and lesbians compete in the Games, it's clear the sports world is still a hard place for gay men and women to be open about their sexuality. Conversely, the lack of pink visibility perpetuates the idea that gay athletes can't cut it at the top level. This together with the perceived gay-unfriendliness may deter young gays and lesbians from taking up sport, something they don't feel when it comes to music and the arts.
And that's the West. In the end, China may end up hosting the most spectacular Olympic Games and winning most of the medals. But Asia is still a long way from its first publicly out Olympian.
In the meantime, we'll just have to be content with the hotties on Thai TV. Hopefully we'll get to see Mitcham in the Men's 10-Metre Platform and 3-Metre Springboard competitions and Despatie in the Single and the Synchronised 3-Metre Spring-board.
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