Gay rower Robbie Manson One of the few out male New Zealand Olympians, speedskater Blake Skjellerup, says it’s exciting that NZ Olympic rower Robbie Manson has decided to come out as gay. Manson has now spoken out for the first time about being gay, although he started coming out two and a half years ago, after making what he describes as the "scariest decision" of his life. “It is great to see that he is supported and encouraged to come out publicly," says Skjellerup, "especially as such an accomplished athlete, and as a competitor in one of New Zealand's most successful Olympic sports.” Skjellerup, who played rugby before taking up speedskating, came out in 2010 after the Vancouver Winter Olympics and narrowly avoided selection for the Sochi Winter Olympics this year.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 5th November 2014 - 1:54pm