Mark Foster: ‘I tiptoed around in the shadows for so long, but now is the time to come out’

Swimmer Mark Foster felt he had not been true to himself as he “tiptoed around” issues over his sexuality for so long before coming out as gay.

The 47-year-old six-time world champion, who carried the Great Britain flag at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, confirmed he was gay in a wide-ranging interview with the Guardian, which was published yesterday.

Foster made the decision after believing he had always been “telling half-truths in public” despite the full support of friends and family.

Since retiring, Foster – who claimed 11 European Championship gold medals, was twice Commonwealth Games champion, set eight sprint world records and also competed across five Olympics – has gone on to work as a coach and media pundit, as well as appearing on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing programme.

Foster told the Guardian: “It’s not like I’ve been pushed to come out. I’ve just swerved and swerved. Telling half-truths and not being my true self is only hurting me.

“I’m 47, a middle-aged man, and I’m no longer competing. And I’m not the first gay sportsman to come out.”

Foster added: “I tiptoed around the issue for so long. I got really good at the dance of telling half-truths. I’ve supported the Terence Higgins Trust, Stonewall, Ben Cohen’s Stand Up to Bullying campaign. But I’ve always done it under the radar.”

Foster recalled a conversation with a swimmer friend who told him his Olympic disappointments were because he had been “afraid of the spotlight” and “never wanted to show the real you”.

The Briton added: “I don’t know if that’s true but when you’ve spent your whole life shying away from scrutiny it must have some impact.

“I’m not saying I would’ve won the Olympics but, if I wasn’t subconsciously processing all this stuff, I would have achieved more.” The National

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