Champion divers come out publicly as gay couple
The couple began dating soon after they met at the US Championships in 2013.
Jaime Bissett and Tanner Wilfong began dating two years ago, after meeting each other at the US championships.
Despite this, the pair only recently went public with their relationships, following Bissett’s announcement that he plans to compete for a spot on Canada’s Olympic team for next year’s games.
Bissett met his boyfriend – who is also a champion synchronized diver – when the pair both competed at the US championships two years ago.
However, whereas he was still in the closet, Wilfong was not.
“He was ‘out’ when we met, and obviously, that was scary for me,” Bissett told the Roanoke Times.
“I’m thankful to have met him. I’ve learned a lot about myself through having met him and definitely credit that whole experience to where I am now.”
Wilfong says he is “okay” with being known as a gay athlete, and supports his boyfriend’s decision to go public with their relationship.
“I’m OK with gay being part of my reputation. I like it,” Wiflfong said.
“In high school, it would have been the uncool thing for me in my mind. Now, it’s the cool thing.
“It’s just because the cool thing is me being myself and me not caring for a single second what anyone else thinks about me.”
Wilfong also qualified for Olympic Trials – but had to pull out due to a serious back injury and now aims to take part in the 2020 games instead.
In the meantime, he says he is more that happy to support his boyfriend – and says their relationship gets better every single day, especially now they are both ‘out’.
“I think every day is a better day,” Wilfong added.
“Our relationship has changed so much since we first met, because he wasn’t even out.
“It’s a complete progression until the day you depart, move on or die.”
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black recently showed off their matching engagement rings, after announcing their surprise engagement.
The Olympic diver announced his engagement to his Oscar-winning screenwriter partner last month.
