Gay former German soccer captain’s “coming out” big news – because it’s so rare

The news that the former captain of the German national soccer team – Thomas Hitzlsperger – has come out and admitted that he is gay has caused something of a stir, although homosexuality and rough sport are not necessarily poles apart.

By Michael Marnewick

London Olympics bronze medalist, 19-year-old British diving star Tom Daley made his announcement in a YouTube clip.

"Come spring this year my life changed massively when I met someone and they made me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great – and that someone is a guy," he admitted.

He is one of three diving stars, the others are Australia's Matthew Mitcham who announced he was homosexual shortly before winning a diving gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Greg Louganis, the four-time Olympic diving champion, came out as gay following his retirement in 1995.

In the less serene arenas, sport is often viewed as the battlefield where violence has become legitimised.

Two footed tackles and broken ankles in soccer are common. Delivered by the likes of Vinnie Jones, the hard man of British soccer, he was once booked within three seconds of the start of a game and was also notoriously caught on camera squeezing Paul Gascoigne's testicles. He brought new meaning to the saying: 'soccer is a gentleman's game played by hooligans'. He isn't gay, but certainly there are gay soccer players as evidenced by Hitzlsperger's admission.

He represented Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton and it was only at the end of his career that his sexuality was made public. National team-mate, goalkeeper Ollie Kahn advised players not to reveal their sexuality for fear of victimisation, although a year ago the German Football Association urged gay soccer players to "out" themselves.

Germany seems to be leading the way in liberation, even if their liberated count is just one. Chancellor Angela Merkel has been quoted as saying: "Gay football players should have nothing to fear in Germany."

A year ago, 25 year old Robbie Rogers, a midfielder for the US National team announced that he is gay. He also announced his early retirement at the same time. In his statement, Rogers who also played for Leeds United in the UK, said: "I realized I could only truly enjoy my life once I was honest. Honesty is a bitch, but makes life so simple and clear. My secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended."

So far, Hitzlsperger has been the only German player to do this and despite calls from various people for homosexuality in sport to be less victimised, perhaps the story of Justin Fashanu is too strong a reminder of the stigma or pressure?

The brother of the better known John who represented Wimbledon during the 80s and part of the 90s, and played for England, Justin announced he was gay the early 90's – but sadly took his own life in America in 1998.

Rugby is brutal and gladiatorial, but this sport too has seen gay players admitting to homosexuality – although, like soccer, very few.

Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas is probably the best known example. The British and Irish Lions and Welsh International revealed that he was gay in 2009.

"I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player," he told the Daily Mail back in 2009. "I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man."