Openly gay diver Matthew Mitcham, who won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, talked to the press Monday about being the only openly gay male athlete at Olympics.

"I was actually very surprised I was the only 'out' male at the Olympic Games. It's a little bit sad I think, because statistically there should be a lot more but, you know what, it's each to one's own. I'm not going to pressure anybody else to come out of the closet because it's their own choice. But I'm proud to be there, proud to be that one, that lots of other people can look up to," said Mitcham.

Mitcham recently signed with Ian Thorpe's manager Dave Flaskas, who says he'll manage his career similarly: "The strategy for Matthew will be worked in the same template as it is for Thorpey, Cadel Evans, Leisel [Jones]. They all have different challenges, they all have different personalities, it's not going to be a quick grab for deals [but] obviously there is a priority because of the financial situation."

Last update: 10-07-2008 19:23