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British race walker Tom Bosworth, a distinguished athlete and an influential figure in the LGBTQ+ community, recently received a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to racewalking. Born on January 17, 1990, Bosworth’s athletic career is marked by extraordinary achievements. He holds three world bests, including the world record for the 1-mile race walk at 5:31.08, and has set six British records and won 13 British Championships gold medals.
Bosworth’s Olympic journey encompasses two participations, with a notable 6th place finish in the 20 km race walk at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He has also been a finalist in World, European, and Olympic games, competing in various events including the 10,000 meters, 10 kilometers, and 5,000 meters race walks.
In 2018, he earned a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and has placed well in other significant championships, such as the IAAF World Athletics Championships and the European Athletics Championships.
Related: Tom Daley’s Triumphant Return
Beyond his athletic prowess, Bosworth is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and mental health in sports. He publicly came out as gay on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show in 2015, sharing that his inner circle had known for years, and his public announcement was a step towards being true to his fans and himself. He proposed to Harry Dineley during the 2016 Rio Olympics, and they married on October 29, 2022, marking it as the happiest moment of his life.
Bosworth’s advocacy extends beyond his personal life. He has spoken about his mental health struggles, especially following challenging periods in his career. He credits his husband Harry for helping him through these times, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and support. Bosworth has also expressed his readiness to risk imprisonment for defending LGBTQ rights in Qatar during the World Athletics Championships.
Tom Bosworth’s journey from a record-setting athlete to an MBE awardee, a committed advocate, and a happily married man is a story of dedication, courage, and inspiration, making him a role model in both the sports and LGBTQ communities.
Related: Gay Community Selfish to Ask Athletes to Come Out of the Closet, Says Rugby/Bobsled Star
Did you catch it?
Statement: “Tom Bosworth just received an MBA.”