Gus Kenworthy makes Winter Olympics history after kissing partner on live television
US freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy has made history, being captured on television kissing his partner before competing at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
The moment was screened around the world, with commentators acknowledging Matt Wilkas as Kenworthy鈥檚 boyfriend and showing supporters waving rainbow flags, has reported.
鈥淭o be able to do that, to give him a kiss, to have that affection broadcast to the world, is incredible,鈥� said Kenworthy after the event.
鈥淭he only way to really change perceptions, to break down barriers, break down homophobia, is through representation.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 definitely not something I had as a kid.
鈥淚 never saw a gay athlete kissing their boyfriend at the Olympics.
鈥淚 think if I had, it would鈥檝e made it easier for me.鈥�
Wilkas said he was happy to see gay relationships like theirs treated as normal.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good that it鈥檚 televised because it normalises it more,鈥� Wilkas said.
鈥淚 would imagine it would be a huge moment for a young gay kid to see an awesome athlete so open and proud of himself and not caring what anyone thinks of his sexuality.鈥�
Pyeongchang is Kenworthy鈥檚 second Winter Olympics, and his first as an openly gay athlete.
He said he felt 鈥渉orrible鈥� about being closeted at the Sochi Games in Russia in 2014.
Ahead of this year鈥檚 Games, Kenworthy used social media to thank his partner and family for their support.
鈥淲in or lose I just wanna thank you all so much for your support and encouragement,鈥� he tweeted.
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be here without you.鈥�
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