Sophie McKinna is a six-time nationwide shot put champion who represented Crew GB on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and has contested world, European and Commonwealth finals. Final 12 months, she selected to talk publicly about her sexuality for the primary time. As a part of BBC Sport’s Delight Month collection, she shares her story.
A cheerful athlete is a performing athlete. Any athlete will inform you that.
When you’ll be able to be your self, to be blissful and free, performances comply with. Final month I produced my furthest throw in two years.
I want I had spoken overtly about my sexuality years in the past – and I would positively say to my youthful self ‘get a transfer on’.
I’m a very totally different particular person since I first spoke overtly [about being gay] on The LGBT Sport Podcast in April 2023. Now I am not fearful. There is not any extra paranoia. I publish overtly on social media, one thing I had by no means finished beforehand.
It was a choice I weighed up for properly over a 12 months. To anybody in an identical place I’d say positively do it, do not hesitate. It was one of the vital releasing experiences for me.
I by no means really feel like I’ve to cover myself in conditions anymore. I not have the stress and nervousness. Myself and my companion are presently planning our marriage ceremony, which is one thing I’d by no means beforehand have dreamed of claiming overtly as a result of I used to be so fearful about what individuals would suppose.