Gay Brazilian Olympic diver Ian Matos died earlier this week following a lung infection not associated with COVID. He was 32 years old.
According to Matos, he has been fighting infections in hospitals for the past two months until his death on December 21st. Independent..
Divers won three bronze medals at the 2010 South American Games. He finished eighth at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, competing with diving partner Luis Outerero on a three-meter springboard for men’s synchronism.
“I am deeply saddened to receive the news of the premature death of 32-year-old Olympic diver Ian Matos,” the Brazilian Olympic Commission said in a statement. “Team Brazil acknowledges his contribution to the evolution of discipline.”
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the statement continued.
According to the British tabloid, Olympian sought medical care due to a throat infection, but eventually became systemic. Sun..
Matos appeared in 2014. After that, the diver lost the sponsor. He had previously said that Tom Daley’s appearance in 2013 encouraged him to do the same. Matos also said he wanted to live freely without worrying about people knowing about his relationship or the club he went to.
“From an early age, I knew I was gay, but I was able to live sexuality here,” Matos said at the time, referring to Rio’s new home. OutSports Report.
In 2014, the climate of queer athletes was very different from today. In the 2016 Rio Game, 56 athletes who broke the record at the time participated. There were at least 186 athletes at the Tokyo Olympics last summer.