Team GB’s Tom Bosworth has no intention of hiding who he is while competing in Qatar
The out racewalk athlete will travel to the anti-gay country for the World Athletics Championships
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Olympic athlete Tom Bosworth has no intention to ‘hide’ who he is while competing at the World Athletics Championships in Qatar.
The racewalk athlete came out as gay back in 2015 and proposed to his long-term boyfriend a year after and is set to compete in the upcoming World Athletics Championships in just over a week.
And although the competition will be held in Qatar – where homosexuality is illegal and punishable with up to 7 years in prison and a fine – Bosworth has promised that he will no hide who he is but will respect the host country’s laws.
In a statement that was published on Twitter by British Athletics, he wrote: “With just over a week to go until the start of the World Athletics Championships, I am busy preparing and looking forward to competing at my third worlds in Doha.
“Culturally I know Qatar is different but I’m sure everyone involved with the Championships will be made welcome, regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender or religion.
“I have no doubt that when the IAAF awarded Doha in the Championships they took the safety of all athletes, officials, family members and spectators into account.
“The responsibility lies with them and I know the human rights and laws of countries must be very high on their agenda when considering cities to host major events.
“I have no intention to hide who I am but I am also only there to compete. Like everyone, I will respect the host country and I trust the Championships will be a huge success for athletics and the country of Qatar.
“I have been very grateful and appreciative of the support I have received over the years. However, from this point on – and for the remainder of the trip – I would like to focus solely on my performance, therefore I will not be making any further comment outside my expectations for the race and reflecting on my performance thereafter.”
Statement from British race walker Tom Bosworth ahead of the IAAF World Championships, which start in just over a week. pic.twitter.com/bNjqiUmRqP
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) September 19, 2019