GAY AUSSIE DIVER SLAMS PRIME MINISTER

Openly gay Olympic diver, Matthew Mitcham, has slammed Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s stance on same-sex marriage.

In October last year, Rudd said that, “On the institution of marriage itself, our view is that it’s between a man and a woman and that’s just been our traditional continuing view.”

Speaking to Australia’s MCV magazine, the diver commented that “Rudd’s opinion of marriage as something that’s only between a man and a woman is quite narrow-minded. During the election campaign he was all about appearing young and cool, but his views on gay marriage make him look quite old-fashioned.”

The 20 year old will be the first openly gay Australian to compete in an Olympic event when he takes part in the upcoming Beijing games.

Mitcham came to international prominence when he came out in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in May, but he tells the magazine that he’s been open about his sexuality with his friends and family since he was 14.

Speaking on being a role model he said that, “There’s not really much choice. If someone looks up to you, then you’re a role model. And I’m happy with that. I just hope I do a good job – I’m not perfect!”