Out Gay Brazilian Olympic Diver Ian Matos Dies Aged 32
Image: Out Brazilian diver Ian Carlos Gonçalves de Matos. Image: Instagram
Ian Carlos Gonçalves de Matos, Brazil’s out diving star who competed in the 2016 Olympics, died Tuesday in Rio De Janeiro, following complications from a throat infection. Matos was 32 years old.
Matos had been in the hospital for two months for a throat infection, which ultimately spread to his stomach and lungs.
“We are profoundly saddened to have received the news of the premature death of the Olympic diver Ian Matos, aged just 32,” Brazil’s Olympic Committee said in a statement. “Team Brazil acknowledges his contribution to the evolution of the discipline. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
Athlete Ally tweeted, “Thinking of Ian Matos’ loved ones, and all he inspired by being his authentic self, in the wake of this tragic loss.”
Brazil’s Diving Star
View this post on Instagram
Matos was born as Ian Carlos Gonçalves de Matos in Muaná, a city located in the rural northern state of Pará, in the Amazon River Delta region. Matos learnt to swim in the river when he was three years old.
Making his debut in international competition at the South American Games in Medellin, Colombia, Matos took home three bronze medals; in one-metre and three-metre Springboard and another for Men’s Synchronised three-metre Springboard, shared with diving partner Rio Machado.
In the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, Matos finished in eighth place, with partner Luiz Outerelo, in Men’s three-metre Synchronised Springboard.
Matos also competed at the 2019 Pan American Games, and finished fourth in Men’s three-metre Synchronised Springboard at both the 2011 and 2015 Pan Am Games, with Cesar Castro.
Came Out Months After Tom Daley’s Coming Out
View this post on Instagram
Matos came out in 2014, and said his decision to do so was inspired by Tom Daley, who had just come out a few months before in a video posted on YouTube.
“When I saw it, I played with a friend. I said I was going to do it too. He advised me to wait for the Olympics (in Rio, in 2016) only as not to stop receiving sponsorship,” Matos told Correio.
“It seems that, as a homosexual, you start one level down. I heard a lot ‘I won’t lose to a faggot’ or ‘I can’t believe you lost to a faggot.’”
“From a young age, I knew I was gay, but it was here that I got to live my sexuality,” Matos said at the time, referring to his move to Brazilia at age 17 to train.
I’m Gay And There’s Nothing Wrong With That
View this post on Instagram
Matos became involved in the United Nations Free and Equal campaign, which calls for “equal rights and fair treatment” for the LGBTQIA+ community across the globe.
“Everyone supported me. Everybody in the diving community supported me. I had never identified with what is imposed by society as masculine,” Matos said in a interview for the campaign.
“When I was younger everyone used to say, ‘Ian is gay! Ian is gay’! I wondered ‘Am I gay? Really?’ I didn’t even know what it meant be gay, and everyone told me I was during my childhood. Imagine a kid who was afraid of diving and kept hearing other people say, ‘if you’re scared, it’s because you’re gay, a sissy.’ Back then I already knew I was gay.”
“The LGBT community needs people saying, ‘Look, I’m gay and there’s nothing wrong with that, I’m normal, I’m a person, just like anybody else,’” Matos said.
If you feel distressed reading the story, you can reach out to support services.
For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14
For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.
You May Also Like
