Diving: Gay diver Matthew Mitcham wins gold!
(Getty Images)
Australia's Matthew Mitcham has done the incredible and captured the
gold from China's Zhou Luxin in the 10m platform diving competition.
Mitcham, trailing Zhou by 30 points going into his final dive, performed an amazing back two-and-a-half somersault with two-and-a-half twists and received four perfect scores from the judges to pull ahead. Nailing this 3.8 degree of difficulty dive Mitcham will also go in the record books for scoring a 112.10, the highest score ever recorded in competition.
"It's absolutely surreal. I never thought that this would be possible,'' Mitcham said.
"I wasn't even sure of my medal chances at all. After I did my last dive and I saw I was in first, I thought, "That's it, it's a silver medal, I am so happy with this' and then I won. I can't believe it, I'm so happy.
Zhou finished second and world champion Gleb Galperin of Russia finished third.
Check out all the photos of Mitcham after the jump!
UPDATE: Click here to see video of all 6 of Matthew's dives, awards ceremony and kissing his mother and boy friend after the ceremony.
Source: Fox Sports Australia
Posted by James Schend on August 23, 2008 in Diving
| Back to gay.com
Yea...that last dive was f***ing amazing!
Posted by: Charles | August 23, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Wow! Great job Matt! Boston Solutes you!
Posted by: Mark from Boston | August 23, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Wow, I knew it and now I'm so so proud of being gay!!! Awesome!!! Congratulations Matthew, you made our world better!!! You rock!!!!!!!
Posted by: Guillermo | August 23, 2008 at 07:54 PM
What a gutsy athlete. And also in coming out. His suit looked so cute with "Australia" written right across his butt.
Meanwhile, _if_ I heard correctly on NBC, US diver Fincham, who pings my gaydar bigtime, is enrolling at the rapefest known as the US Naval Academy to enjoy "the fruits of" Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue for four years. (Although he'll still pursue diving, apparently.)
Posted by: corrective_unconscious | August 23, 2008 at 08:01 PM
There were at least twenty posts when I started writing mine and now there's four. What is the damage with this website?
Posted by: corrective_unconscious | August 23, 2008 at 08:03 PM
You were brilliant!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for being the proud and spectacular individual that you are! May this golden achievement bring you more happiness than ever before, and may your brave example bring more gay athletes out into the spotlight.
Posted by: Mitchell in L.A. | August 23, 2008 at 08:07 PM
atta boy girl!
Posted by: hotgarlicbreah | August 23, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Congratulations Matthew from Washington, DC. I already knew the results when I saw your dives on TV but it still brought my heart to a stop and put tears in my eyes! USA stands with Australia today!
Posted by: Dupont16thst | August 23, 2008 at 08:21 PM
You are great. Out of the closet, bringing your bf to the games, it all takes courage. and to think that some muslim countries are still wrong and punish people. You are an example to the world. We all love you. I send you my best from Cancun, Mexico.
Posted by: Lobeiro | August 23, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Congratulations.
Posted by: Chris in Orlando, FL | August 23, 2008 at 08:59 PM
An absolutely beautiful sport. All of the divers tonight were perfection at their sport and wonderful to watch. Congratulations to a great athlete who happens to be gay also. The Aussies, his family, and boy friend should be very proud. And the two men from Indianapolis did the US proud too. Look out for them in four years.
Hopefully we will have the Olympics here in Chicago in 2016.
Posted by: James | August 23, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Congratulations Matthew, I listened to the dive live on Australian ABC Local radio as Ch 7 didn't cover it live (shame) and Caroline Davidson was in tears as you were and so was i. U are an inspiration and i wish you and your bf all the best for the future.
Tony on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland Australia.
Posted by: Tony Baker | August 23, 2008 at 09:20 PM
love you hips Mathew, you are rock star
Posted by: johnny_tran | August 23, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Congrats budday.
Posted by: Nick | August 23, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Aloha!
Congratulations!
From, Robaire, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii USA
Posted by: Robaire M. Viloria | August 23, 2008 at 10:33 PM
You are awesome and you do the world a wonderful service of being a wonderful human being and as another said already you do carry that golden spirit within you all the time and you spread that wonderful GOLD Spirit in all that you do...
WAY TOOOOOO GOOOOOO From Southern California I think you have a great cheering section from around the world. YOU have a lot of great things ahead of you Carry that OLYMPIC GOLD SPIRIT and spread it FORWARD!!! Love from San Juan Capistrano CALIFORNIA
Micha
PS I would like to know your bf and congratulate him for catch the Gold BOY FRIEND!!! ;-)
Posted by: Michael | August 23, 2008 at 10:39 PM
if you would like to contact Matthew you can view his personal Website at:
http://www.mattmitcham.com
or you can send him a telstra hero fax through http://hero.telstra.com/olympics/HowTo.aspx
Posted by: Wayne & Wayne | August 23, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Re: Guam guy who resides in Honolulu, HI-- I happen to be Taiwanese, and I'm also tired of seeing Chinese divers occupying the top of the poduim everytime. It's nice to have some changes. For example, an openly gay athlete winning the gold medal is one. I didn't know about him. I was just thrilled with his performance, especially the last dive. And I found his past-game celebration just a bit peculiar... Only after reading the news did I realize it. Congratulations Matthew! Hope you inspire more gay and lesbian athletes to come out while they're active!
Posted by: catwalk73 | August 23, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Wow mate your fantastic and you have made Australia and the gay world so proud.I wish both you and your partner all the best.
Posted by: Michael | August 23, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Dude, i sound so gay here, but i totally cryied when i saw he won, and started crying... i honestly had no idea he was gay... and then i saw this... now im even fuckin happier for him... hahaha, man, after the last 24 hr flight to australia i swore i would never do it again... but now... this may change my mind hahaha... GREAT JOB BUDDY
Posted by: kidcharisma | August 24, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Role-model hero for the gay community and Olympic Champion for the Aussie community! Well done mate! We love you!
Posted by: Adam | August 24, 2008 at 12:16 AM
As an athlete diver, I know personally how big your balls are to overcome the fear of the diving, especially on the 10m. I as I am sure you do, remember the first time off the platform at this height. Wow, you have come such a long way on your journey to Beijing. Congratulations on your Olympic Gold Medal in Men's 10m Platform. May you be blessed for inspiring young children to want to dive while being themselves. This is a great day for the Australian Diving Team, Australia, the GLBT community, and most especially your Family. Everyone is proud of your courage and performance. Take everything in stride as you embrace fame. Remain grounded and whole. All the best buddy. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie... Oi, Oi, Oi! onederjock@yahoo.com
Posted by: Luke Sorensen | August 24, 2008 at 12:22 AM
From the whole Gay community in Australia, Congratulations. We are so proud of you! How wonderful to have your family and partner there to share in your success. I hope more gay sports men and women have the courage to come out and be proud. From Sydney Australia
Posted by: Malcolm | August 24, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Matthew, Congratulations from Israel!!! Your athletics, beauty, grace and perfection (10's) were amazing to watch - you're the best! We admire and congratulate you on your Olympic Gold Medal! Hugs, Albey from Israel
Posted by: Albey | August 24, 2008 at 01:23 AM
Congratulations...Knew you would do well...Such a motivational athlete..
Love you
Posted by: asianfederer | August 24, 2008 at 02:13 AM
What a fantastic performance. We are all so proud of you here in your hometown of Sydney. Good on you mate!!!
Posted by: JB | August 24, 2008 at 03:22 AM
congratulations from the Philippines! You're such a role model! Viva Australia!
Posted by: JT | August 24, 2008 at 03:28 AM
Congratulations! With or without the Gold you are awesome! The Gold is the icing on the cake! Thank you for being a "Class Act." GREAT JOB! Next stop...Great Britain 2012! My bf and I love you in Grand Rapids, MI, USA!
Posted by: Jeffery R | August 24, 2008 at 04:44 AM
You were fantastic! I watched the entire Diving tournament and couldn't help but yearning for you.
Awesome!
You're a hottie!
Posted by: David | August 24, 2008 at 05:10 AM
Great job. Amazing win. And you're so hot too. Its so much better when a gold medal winner is hot, isn't it?
Anyway, I want to see the award ceremony. American TV didn't show it I guess cause no Americans were in the top three. But your performance was so terrific I think they should have.
So where can I see you receive your gold medal?
Posted by: Vincenzo | August 24, 2008 at 06:58 AM
You just proved once again......no matter how small or how large.... we should always strive for our dream... it can happen.... Congratulations from Milwaukee, too!
Posted by: Jerry | August 24, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Congratulations, Matthew. I tried to see a reply of his finals dives on NBC and all I could find were his semifinals and the very last set of dives where he scored the four 10s after the leader messed up. What an amazing dive!
NBC had posted the run by the Chinese runner-up, the Russian bronze winner, and the two Americans. I guess they had counted Matthew out. Makes it all sweeter.
They also kept his boyfriend out of the picture. Meh!
Posted by: gayincoconutgrove | August 24, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Aren't all male divers gay? Some are just more closeted than others. This guys dive was obviously outstanding. He certainly deserves all of the congratualions and support we can give.
Posted by: Dave | August 24, 2008 at 09:11 AM
The NBC athletes bio page does mention Mitcham's boyfriend. C tinyurl dot com 55yz45 or google for the nbcolympics page.
Meanwhile, US diver Thomas Fincham can go get mentally tougher under the Don't Tell, Don't Ask, Don't Pursue policy during his four, upcoming years at the Naval Academy. What a study in contrasts...and competitive results.
Posted by: corrective_unconscious | August 24, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Congratulations, Matthew!! We are proud of you! Ottawa, Canada here.
Posted by: jonnie | August 24, 2008 at 09:41 AM
I don't care if he was green, purple or black. The color of his skin has nothing to do with it. It was just nice to see the Chinese NOT get the gold on this one.
Posted by: sterling man | August 24, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Dave: Saying all male divers are gay is like saying all black people eat watermelon or all Jews are greedy or add to this sentence any list of ignorant stereotype you like. Wishful thinking doesn't excuse comments like yours. Get a clue.
Posted by: sterling man | August 24, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Congratulations Matthew! It looks like a dream come true. And thanks Gay.Com for the getty Images post
Posted by: James | August 24, 2008 at 12:15 PM
THAT'S FANTASTIC, YOU ROCK BUDDY!!!
Posted by: _-Bobby-_ | August 24, 2008 at 01:25 PM
What a thrill to watch! Congratulations on the great success! All the best in the year's to come.
Posted by: Darren Kittleson | August 24, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Thank you! Good Luck! You're fantastic.
Posted by: FB | August 24, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Thank you so much for being out. Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you for being a wonderful representative of us. Thank you.
Posted by: Fred | August 24, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Matthew, Congratulations from Daytona Beach. Your last dive was beautiful. And so are you. Your boyfriend is one lucky man. Very sweet of you to kiss your Mom and give her your roses. Can't wait to see what you do in London in four years. Enjoy your moment. You desreve it.
Posted by: Bob & Jerry | August 24, 2008 at 03:09 PM
you r the best. i see your performance with a friends and i did not know you are gay. i'm very proud of you. u r the best. love
Posted by: jose | August 24, 2008 at 03:18 PM
you are beauty men, i love you, you are the best
Posted by: Hernando | August 24, 2008 at 03:34 PM
I've been a huge fan of diving since seeing Greg Louganis dive at the US nationals in 1984.
Mitcham's last dive was one of the best ones I've ever seen. Truly a thing of beauty. If you by chance read this please know I put you up at the top of my list of greatest divers of all time! Anyone, gay or straight, who could do that is a true athlete and diver!
Posted by: A Gaylord | August 24, 2008 at 04:47 PM
AWESOME DUDE!!!!!!
I'm so proud of you!
Posted by: Cari | August 24, 2008 at 04:53 PM
cool your amazing congrats
Posted by: john | August 24, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Congratulation Matt
From Mexico City!!!
Posted by: JAVIER | August 24, 2008 at 05:42 PM
really awesome, congratulations from México. you're the best of the best : )
Posted by: Luis | August 24, 2008 at 06:24 PM