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