Ian Matos, Brazilian Diver, Comes Out As Gay

Brazilian Diving Champ Comes Out
Brazilian Matos Ian (bronze medal) competes in the diving men's 3m springboard during the final IX South American Games in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia on March 20, 2010. AFP PHOTO/Raul ARBOLEDA (Photo credit should read RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Brazilian Matos Ian (bronze medal) competes in the diving men's 3m springboard during the final IX South American Games in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia on March 20, 2010. AFP PHOTO/Raul ARBOLEDA (Photo credit should read RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Top Brazilian diver Ian Matos is speaking publicly about his sexuality for the first time.

"From a young age, I knew I was gay, but it was here that I got to live my sexuality," the 24-year-old Matos told Brazilian newspaper Correio, according to translations provided by the Federation of Gay Games and Outsports.

Matos, who was the Brazilian 3-meter champion last year, also reportedly cited British diver Tom Daley as an inspiration, even though he says a friend told him to remain in the closet until the 2016 Summer Olympics passed.

Although he stopped short of using the words "gay" or "bisexual," Daley, 19, revealed he was in a relationship with another man in an emotional YouTube video last month.

As Instinct points out, Matos originally hails from Pennsylvania, but relocated to Brazil to pursue his diving career.

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