TORONTO — Canadian Olympian Eric Radford did something last week no other elite figure skater has ever done while still competing on the world stage: he talked publicly about being gay.
The 29-year-old, who won silver at the Sochi Winter Olympics with skating partner Meagan Duhamel, told Outsports he considered revealing his sexuality ahead of Sochi.
“My concern was that I would be known as ‘the gay athlete’ if I came out at the Olympics, rather than Eric the medalling figure skater who happens to be gay,” he said.
“And I felt uncomfortable with that title.”
A number of male figure skaters have come out publicly but never at the height of their competitive careers. Brian Orser and Johnny Weir were already retired from the sport and Rudy Galindo retired soon after coming out.
Radford said he took a small step out of the closet during the Winter Olympics when a Canadian reporter asked him who he had in Russia to support him. His answer included “my boyfriend” but the reporter chose not to use it in her report.
Since talking openly about being gay, Radford has been deluged with messages of support and encouragement.
In his private life, and on social media, Radford has done little to hide his sexual orientation. He has long shared photos and videos that include his partner of four years, Normand Piché. The couple lives in Montreal with Piché’s daughter.
“We have become a family. I was only 25 when I met Normand,” said Radford. “I don’t know many gay guys that age who would take on that responsibility. But I jumped right in. It’s been fun and fulfilling and has broadened my perspective on so many things.”
Radford told Outsports he was bullied as a boy for being gay. “I didn’t want to be different. I wanted to be like all other boys,” he recalled.
Radford, a native of Red Lake in northwest Ontario, said he was inspired by his former coach Paul Wirtz, who passed away in 2006.
“Until I met Paul I didn’t realize you could be gay and just be normal,” he said. “He made me realize I didn’t have to be afraid of it.”
Now he hopes to be a role model for anyone struggling with their sexuality.
“To put it out there for the people who don’t know me can send a strong and supportive message to anybody who’s going through that,” Radford told Daily Xtra!.
Radford and Duhamel are competing in the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona and plan to be on the rink at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
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