Olympian Tom Bosworth opens up but sport still retains old prejudices

His next challenge is that of mentoring younger athletes as part of the Athletics Pride Network.

The Network was set up by GB junior hurdler Ethan Akanni to support LGBTQ+ members of the athletics community and challenge discrimination.

Coaches, fans, officials and athletes from grassroots to elite levels have all signed up to the network.

The Commonwealth Games silver medallist said: “It blows my mind people want to hear my opinions.

“I’m just being me and it’s amazing that I can have such an impact by living openly.”

Bosworth feels fortunate to have only come across one homophobic person in athletics but was shocked to hear stories of athletes who felt less comfortable.

“I thought our sport was one of the most open, welcoming sports going,” said Bosworth, who trains at the UK Race Walking Centre at Leeds Beckett University.

“It’s so diverse due to all the different events. I was surprised so many athletes have said they’ve had a bad experience.”

After publicly coming out as gay in 2015, Bosworth proposed to his fiance Harry Dineley during the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The couple set a date to get married next autumn, potentially in the city where they met, York.

Bosworth, who is an ambassador for LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, told The Yorkshire Post he still gets messages on social media thanking him for coming out and living so openly: “I get messages saying ‘I wish I was able to live openly like you.’

“International messages come in saying it’s illegal where I am from [to be gay].

“I’ve lost count of how many high-level athletes have come out to me. It fills me with pride but also shows me how much people have to hide away within athletics and other sports.

“Sport is still so far behind day-to-day society.”

One of the first topics the Athletics Pride Network discussed was trans-sport and how it should be accommodated.

“I’ve had one brilliant in-depth conversation with one of our trans athletes and she’s very open to answer questions and talk about it. This was needed.” says Bosworth.

“What’s clear is the debate around trans-sport is very different on a grassroots level and an elite level.

“You want everyone to have an understanding and if we are going to start talking about these things it is going to increase the conversation on social media. It will not always be pretty.”

Currently living in Chester, Bosworth is enjoying drinking wine and time with his dog.

The race walking community is hosting virtual races but he is unsure about taking part: “I’m rubbish when there isn’t a crowd or a finish line.

“I don’t have the motivation to hurt myself to the level I would in a competition. I might not do them as I don’t want to lose!”

Bosworth explained the reputation of athletics could be seriously damaged as a result of coronavirus.

“Unfortunately having three or four months without testing, there are going to be people who want to cheat and make the most of this time,” said Bosworth, who was sixth at the Rio Olympics.

“They will justify it by saying they can’t train properly.

“If you’re weak minded or desperate to get to the top something like this is a godsend. That is nobody’s fault, antidoping are just going to be really on it in the build-up to the Olympics.”