British Rugby Star Declares: I'm gay

Gareth Thomas, a former international rugby star has shocked the sports world by revealing that he is gay.

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The 35-year-old is the Wales' most-capped player, made the surprise announcement in an interview with British newspaper The Daily Mail.
While homosexuality in a macho code such as rugby is rarely acknowledged, but Gareth is the first openly gay top-level rugby player.

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He said he knew he had was gay from as young as 16 or 17, but hid it as he sought to establish his rugby career, later going on to captain the British and Irish Lions and becoming one of the top backs in international rugby.

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"I knew I would never be accepted as a gay man and still achieve what I wanted to achieve in the game".

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"I've been through all sorts of emotions with this -- tears, anger and absolute despair"

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"I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to let people know and, to be honest, I feel anxious about people's reactions and the effect it might have on my family."

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Ben Cohen from Australia also came out as a openly gay rugby player.
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