Brian Boitano comes out as gay

Brian Boitano is gay. He made the announcement today.

Boitano won the 1988 Olympic gold medal for figure skating and was named to the official U.S. delegation to the 2014 Sochi Olympics recently.

From USA Today:

Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic figure skating gold medalist who was named to the official U.S. delegation to the 2014 Sochi Olympics, announced today that he is gay.

"I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am," Boitano said in a statement.

"First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance. As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations."

Boitano's announcement comes two days after he was named by President Obama to the opening ceremony delegation that also includes Billie Jean King, the tennis legend who is openly gay. Boitano, 50, declined to discuss his sexuality in an interview for the book Inside Edge in 1995.