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The One with Matthew Mitcham

The Olympic gold medallist talks authenticity, inclusivity and making history in Beijing.

Matthew Mitcham will always have a place in sporting history.

In 2008, the Australian became the first out gay man to win an Olympic gold medal when he triumphed in the diving at the Beijing Olympics – and set a new Olympic record in the process.

It marked the high-point of a remarkable sporting comeback for Matthew, who had only returned to diving fifteen months before after falling out of love with a sport where he felt he couldn’t be his authentic self.

That theme of authenticity is something that comes up time and time again during our chat with Matthew – which, we promise, is an absolute cracker.

We talk about Matthew’s diving career; leaving the sport and returning to it (including what changed that made him want to come back); using his platform to help others; inclusivity; authenticity – and where his medal is at the moment.

Matthew is someone we’ve wanted to have on the podcast from pretty much the moment it started, and we’re grateful we’ve finally made it happen.

It doesn’t disappoint.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?
@matthew_mitcham

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?
@jack_murley
jack.murley@bbc.co.uk

Release date:

Available now

37 minutes

Podcast