Tom Daley used his moment to stand on the podium and collect his medal at the Fina Diving World Series in Kazan, Russia this weekend as an opportunity to make a statement.
The diver won Silver in the mixed 3m synchro springboard with his partner Georgia Reid at the international competition, and as he collected his prize he sported a rainbow badge on his tracksuit with the words Pride emblazoned on it.
The badge was clearly in defiance of Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws which were introduced back in 2013.
The law is against the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality to minors, but has also given society at large a foundation to base anti-LGBTQ discrimination on.
“Another silver here in Russia! Representing on the podium,” he wrote in his Instagram Story.
It comes weeks after Tom openly called on the 37 Commonwealth countries where homosexuality is still illegal to change their archaic colonial-era laws.
“I feel so lucky to be able to be openly who I am without worry. I hope one day every athlete from every nation in the commonwealth will be free to compete openly as who they are too!” he said.
He went on to add that his impending fatherhood encouraged him to speak out about the Commonwealth’s anti-LGBTQ laws.
“I think that everyone should have the equal opportunity to do the best you can.”
He continued: “It changes your perspective on so many different levels. I was on the way home from Australia and there was turbulence, and normally I’m completely fine but I thought ‘I’ve got a little child to look after, I can’t die!’
“The way you think about the world changes so dramatically.”
Related: Boris Johnson promises Tom Daley he’ll raise LGBTQ rights with Commonwealth
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