Tom Daley calls on Commonwealth countries to do more for gay rights
BySportsbeat
Updated 13/04/2018 at 06:45 GMT
Tom Daley used the top spot of the podium to call on Commonwealth countries to improve their record on gay rights.
Tom Daley
Image credit: Getty Images
Daley claimed his fourth Commonwealth Games gold as he partnered Dan Goodfellow to victory in diving's 10m synchro event, gritting through the pain of a troublesome hip injury that ruled him out of defending his individual title this weekend.
And the 23-year old, who married long-time partner Dustin Lance Black last year, believes not enough is being done for LGBT communities in the Commonwealth.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/04/13/2312550-48149770-2560-1440.jpg)
Tom Daley and Dan Goodfellow took diving gold for England
Image credit: Getty Images
Australia voted to legalise same sex marriage last December but being gay is a criminal offence in 37 of the 52 Commonwealth states, including Malaysia, who have been tipped as a host of the 2026 Games, and India, hosts of the event eight years ago.
"I know this might sound a bit political but currently there are 37 countries in the Commonwealth where it's illegal to be who I am," said Daley.
Hopefully we can reduce that number between now and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Coming to the Gold Coast and being able to live as an openly gay man is really important to me.
"You want to feel comfortable in who you are when you are standing on that diving board and for 37 Commonwealth countries that are here participating, that is not the case."
Daley will travel to Russia next month for a FINA World Series event in Kazan, the city where he won gold and bronze at the World Championships three years ago.
"Going to Russia can be scary, you've got to compete in front of lots of people who know I've got a husband," he added.
You have to face those things and try and make change. I feel with the Commonwealth, we can really help push some of the other nations to relax their laws on anti-gay stuff.
Daley and Black are expecting their first child later this year, which he believes will give him a different perspective on sport.
Indeed he claims parenthood could even improve his pursuit of that elusive Olympic gold in Tokyo.
"I have no idea what an earth it will be like to be a Dad," he said.
"I've been reading all the books, they poop ten times a day, you get four hours of sleep a night.
"Every diver that has had kids has said that having children will change the way you think about sport. Every person that I've seen who has gone away and had a child and come back has been better."
Daley, who enjoyed his international breakthrough as a 14-year old at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has said he wants to add to his two bronze medals in Tokyo.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/04/13/2312552-48149810-2560-1440.jpg)
Tom Daley and Dan Goodfellow
Image credit: Getty Images
But he wouldn't be drawn on a fourth Commonwealth Games appearance in Birmingham.
"One of the Malaysian divers is at her sixth Games and she's the real veteran and won two medals here," he said.
"I don't think I'll make six, I've done three so far and who knows about Birmingham, it's just a matter of how my body holds up.
"This medal means so much because I really put everything into that synchro competition to get to the start line.
"Two days ago I was not sure if I was going to be able to compete with my hip.
"I've been doing every kind of recovery you can imagine: compressions, ice, cherry juice, eating lots of things with turmeric and fatty oils like fish... all the things I could do to get myself to myself even to the start line."
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement