Beijing-Bound Ice Dancer Lewis Gibson Opens Up about Being a Gay Olympian

Scottish ice dancer Lewis Gibson talked about coming out, being married, and representing Great Britain at next month's Olympics in an interview with the Outsports podcast "Five Rings to Rule Them All."

Gibson noted that he came out two years ago when he posted a Valentine's Day photo of himself with Joshua Walsh, whom he has since married. It was a move, Gibson said, that he thought might affect his career.

"I just think, 'could this be a detriment to my skating?'" Gibson said. "And I thought, 'I can't live never sharing who I am and sharing who I love.' And I'm really glad, as time has progressed, I'm doing things like this and embracing this side of me more."

It was a coming out that the media failed to take note of until recently, Outsports reported. But now Gibson is part of the next rainbow wave that is, once again, bringing a record number of out LGBTQ+ athletes to the Olympics, which was also the case in the Summer Olympics last year.

Gibson will represent Great Britain in Beijing next month "with ice dancing partner Lilah Fear," Outsports detailed.

"I've seen so many people who have gone before me and just living their truth and being so authentic when they perform in their sport and really just wanting that for myself as well," Gibson told the LGBTQ+ sports site, citing the example of athletes like Adam Rippon.

As for being a gay man paired with a woman on the ice, Gibson told the site, "I think that what Lilah and I have that's so special is our bond and our true love for each other as friends."

Added the skater: "It's not this stereotypical romantic woman-and-man scenario that's special about a performance. It's really a connection you see on the ice."