Matthew Mitcham, the gay Aussie diver, failed to make the finals in the 3-meter competition Tuesday, finishing 16th out of 18 divers. Mitcham is the only openly gay make athlete at the Beijing Olympics and one of 10 gay athletes there.
Mitcham, who returns to the pool Friday for the 10-meter platform competition, blamed nerves for his performance.
Mitcham however was disappointed that he had let nerves get the better of him and would use the experience for a better performance in the 10 metre platform, for which he believed he was in better form.
“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “Obviously I’m a little bit disappointed. I went out there to do my best an unfortunately I didn’t do that but I did try my best so for the 3m competition that will have to be enough for me. But for the 10 metre (platform) that won’t cut the mustard for me so I’ll just be bringing it for the 10 metre.”
Photo: Cameron Spencer, Getty Images
