Cutie of the week (well last week)

Congratulations to Mathew Mitcham – I think I’m right in saying the only out gay guy in the Olympics. Congratulations for his coming through depression, and burnout and coming back and doing so well. Mathew was stoked to be getting silver. Then the guy coming first dived not so well and Mathew did the most highly scored Olympic dive of all time. He got out of the pool with a huge smile on his face, made a generous bow to the audience – I’m guessing his family group in the crowd – then looked at the scoreboard, realised he’d won the gold medal and burst into tears.

The cameras didn’t seem too comfortable including boyfriend Lachlan in the frame, but Mathew wasn’t phased and just alternated between kissing his mum and his lover. They didn’t have much choice then did they! A small act of humanity, like Nicky Winmar’s iconic pointing to the colour of his skin. And yet there was no anger or defiance – just natural affection. Makes me feel all good inside.

Congratulations Mathew Mitcham – Troppo’s official Cutie of the Week!!.

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conrad
conrad
15 years ago

I agree. It was humourous watching how the different channels tried to cover (or not to cover) his boyfriend. It’s also funny that Stephanie Rice has a boyfriend, but he has a partner.

Ken Lovell
15 years ago

Yes, I wonder if mum would have got the bulk of the camera attention if there’d been a gorgeous girlfriend on the other arm.

Nice post.

Nico
15 years ago

How modern – perhaps a little condescending?

I’m torn between been pleased that athletes (if only a few) feel free to come out, and worrying the coverage is patronising. Maybe I’m over-analysing.

FDB
FDB
15 years ago

Pretty sure you are Nico. ;)

He’s like a cuter David Wenham.

I suppose Nico’s onto something in a way… like, if I went to meet with my bank manager and he or she was aboriginal, I don’t think I could stop myself thinking “gee, that’s great!”. I suppose it’s a sort of patronising, but it’s not a sort I’d be too worried about.

Melaleuca
15 years ago

I guess I have that same sort of patronising happy feeling when I see aboriginals do so well on the footy field. But I’ll feel it even more when we do indeed start seeing more aboriginal bankers, doctors, lawyers etc..

Guido
15 years ago

Nice write up in Outsports.com

Ken Parish
Admin
15 years ago

I couldn’t help noting that he looks and sounds like Thorpey’s little brother.

John Greenfield
John Greenfield
15 years ago

He’s much butcher than Thorpie!

Nico
15 years ago

FDB and Melaleuca – exactly. And hopefully the day will come when it no longer seems such a rare thing.

Chris Lloyd
Chris Lloyd
15 years ago

On another related point – the Olympic coverage was abysmal, unless you like volleyball and softball. We only had two TV channels. Why the hell, in 2008, can we not watch whatever event we want? What an utter failure of the amrket system. I hardly saw any field events. Good highlights programs were missing.

And I was amazed that there didn’t seem to be any illegal web feeds around (unless you can speak chinese).

As for Mitcham’s dive – it took me ages to finally see it. It appears on Youtube from time to time and then disappears – presumably illegal.

Legal Eagle
15 years ago

I loved seeing this guy win – such a nice guy, and he’s come through so much. Very cute. :)

skepticlawyer
15 years ago

Outsports rule. Here’s an edited video showing all of Matthew’s dives (including the incredible stonking last one), plus his really natural reaction:

http://outsports.com/olympics2008/2008/08/24/video-mitchams-6-dives-medal-ceremony/

Patrick
Patrick
15 years ago

Chris, you have to give up on youtube. They take down anything related to FIFA, the IOC, or just about anyone with the time to write them a letter.