Winter Olympics: Skjellerup on threshold of second Olympics

Speed skater Blake Skjellerup. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand short-track speed skater Blake Skjellerup's chances of competing as the only openly gay male at the Sochi Winter Olympics are now in other countries' hands.

Thirty-two quota places were allocated last month for the 500m event. New Zealand, courtesy of Skjellerup, was ranked 33rd. The Kiwi will be offered the spot if any other country's athlete pulls out of the Games - provided the New Zealand Olympic Committee selectors agreed to pick him between now and January 20.

The sexuality of Skjellerup and other aspiring gay Olympians became an issue when Russian president Vladimir Putin signed off anti-gay propaganda legislation last year. Private individuals promoting "non-traditional sexual relations" to minors face fines of up to 5000 roubles ($182). Activists were outraged enough with what they considered an oppressive and discriminatory policy to call for Games boycotts. The legislation sits comfortably with Russians and is viewed as a populist vote winner for Putin, despite the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993.

Skjellerup competed without incident in Kolomna, Russia, for the final leg of the speed skating World Cup in November. He never felt comfortable with the Russian government knowing he was gay.

"I couldn't help but feel a sense of animosity; whether that was self-imposed or not, I couldn't say. It was hard to be in a country where my rights are not protected and where I couldn't speak freely about something so unthreatening.

"Whether I make it to Sochi or not, I know I did my best and remained true to who I am and what I stand for. I had an exciting and, at many times, tumultuous journey over the past four years but in no way do I regret how things ended up. I am still an Olympian [from Vancouver 2010], and believe I have a duty to help those who need it most. Being gay is a part of me, and to hide or deny that is to do an injustice to myself."

Skjellerup says regardless of his participation, the gay rights movement can achieve a lot through the Olympics: "I believe in its morals of friendship, diversity, education, peace, and friendship. I'd like to see athletes, gay and straight, come together to quash the stigma gay athletes are somehow lesser competitors due to an unfair and untrue perception that male homosexuals are not masculine enough.

"If the Olympics were not in Sochi [Russia] this issue would not have gained anywhere near the attention [it has]. This is an opportunity for the Olympic movement to showcase diversity on all levels and end discrimination against people regardless of their sexuality, religion, or race."

Skjellerup welcomes the day when 'gay' is removed as a newsworthy prefix every time someone mentions his sporting career, though he accepts its relevance at the moment.

"At this point it is vitally important I'm out and proud and known as a gay athlete. As a 16-year-old, I felt being gay and in sport was impossible. I felt isolated, alone and frightened. Not every gay kid wants to be an athlete but, by having role models who epitomise courage, bravery, and excellence, they offer a beacon of hope. The Olympic movement is tolerant - but actions speak louder than words. In order for it to be a wholeheartedly diverse and accepting institution, a conversation needs to take place on where Games are awarded and what lasting legacy they leave after the closing ceremonies, besides empty stadiums and glossy new infrastructure."

This is likely to be the 28-year-old's final Olympic campaign given the strain on financial resources. A social media-based fundraising platform, indiegogo, raised US$29,357 from 463 donors to help Skjellerup pay his expenses towards qualifying.

"I would love to say I could keep training and racing but unfortunately the last four years have been the hardest of my life. I put my life and soul into being the best speed skater with little to no government support."