Olympic Rower Robbie Manson Comes Out

New Zealand hunk Robbie Manson, an Olympic rower, came out publicly as gay, after coming out to friends and teammates two years ago.

Writing for Outsports, Manson said that "from an early age I realized that I was different from most other guys," and tried desperately to hide that side of himself.

Although this made him shy, he said that it was easy to channel his personality into his competitive side. After his younger brother, Karl, started rowing, he also took up a set of sculls, saying, "I didn't want him getting fitter or stronger than I was!" The two Manson boys are now the New Zealand champs in the double and quad.

Manson said that he looked down on other people who were gay and felt sorry for them, but also hated himself for being gay, and "would get quite depressed about [it]."

Manson said his older brother came out to him when he was 19, but it took him until he was 21 to come out to his brother. Later that year, over Christmas break, he came out to his mother, and a couple months later, went out on his first date with a guy he liked. He said the relationship gave him the courage he needed to come out to his team.

"It was the night after being named to the NZ rowing team for the London Olympics that I came out to more people," wrote Manson. "I was ecstatic to be selected in the quad. Going to the Olympics was a dream of mine ever since watching the Sydney Games when I was 10 years old. We were having a few drinks and near the end of the night I had a heart-to-heart with two of my friends. In a very emotional state I told them that I was different, and then finally that I was gay."

Pink News reported on the story, saying that although Manson, "seriously thought that if anyone found out I wouldn't be able to row anymore. The thought of coming out, in my mind, felt so limiting and terrifying," he eventually realized that it was "not only OK to be gay, but it's a good thing, and won't change who you are or limit what you can achieve."

Manson said he hoped his story could show other people who are struggling with their sexuality that "it's your talent that determines what you can achieve, not your sexuality."

Manson's article comes several days after professional stronman Rob Kearney publicly came out as gay, as reported by EDGE.