Thu 11 Aug 2016 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
A Brazilian gold medalist at the Rio Olympics has come out publicly for the first time. Rafaela Silva Rafaela Silva, who won Brazil's first gold medal at Rio, in the Women's Judo 57kg class, has formally confirmed what has been an open secret on social media. She is in a relationship with Thamara Cezar, her press agent, and photos of the pair have frequently been posted on Instagram. However, when talking with media Silva has always deflected questions about her sexuality and relationship status. Silva has spoken about her upbringing in one of Rio's more notoriously violent favelas, or slums, and in coming out publicly has paid tribute to Ceza, saying "She was there every day and knew how I was feeling, when I was sick when I wasn't... Everything I needed, she was there to do it, so she is also very important in this victory." In coming out Rafaela brings the total number of openly glbti athletes at the Rio Olympics to 49, according to an OutSports tally. The total at the 2012 London Olympics was 23 (although several more subsequently came out).
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 11th August 2016 - 10:53am