Olympic swimmer Sean Gunn is proud, and it turns out Kentucky is the place he has to thank.
Gunn made her debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, representing her African home country Zimbabwe, and told OutSport that she was in tears. He was no stranger to the international stage at the time, having competed in the FINA World Aquatics Championships in his teens. He also broke several school records on the University of Kentucky's relay team.
It was his time in Kentucky, in particular, that led him to realize that he was gay.
“At first I wasn't going out at all,” he says. “For the first few years I was dating girls. I've had really great relationships with them over the years and I really loved them. Obviously time has passed. As time went on, things changed and then I started dating men. But my team and everyone I knew were very supportive and made me happy.”
Even though Kentucky ranks pretty low on the list of places most people can easily get out and about, Gunn said, I think I had been building it up in my head for a long time, but I was scared that it would change their behavior and the way they treated me. But I was really lucky because everyone was so great and wanted me to be the happiest version of myself. ”
Although his friends remained supportive, he hid his sexuality from his family until later in life. He has now moved out completely and lives with his boyfriend in Cape Town, South Africa. His swimming career ended after the Olympics, but he is happy to put it in the past.
“It took me a long time to be able to enjoy swimming again because I really needed a break,” he said. “My life right now is truly amazing and I have so much to be grateful for.”
Part of that gratitude is being able to be authentic with his family, he said. And lots of love and a huge thank you to them all. ”
