Gay Olympian Tom Bosworth shares vile homophobia received from athletics volunteer: ‘F**s aren’t welcome in athletics’
Tom Bosworth wins the Men’s 5000m final at the SPAR British Athletics Indoor Championships in 2019. (Stephen Pond/British Athletics/Getty)
The gay British Olympic athlete Tom Bosworth has shared the abuse he received from athletics volunteer who told him that “f**s aren’t welcome” in his sport.
Bosworth, 30, is a record-winning racewalker who’s currently training for the Tokyo Olympics. He came out in 2015 and was previously embroiled in a ‘bullying’ row with officials at a Yorkshire meet in 2018.
He’s now received more homophobic abuse on social media, which he says is from an individual based in the same county.
“I’ve once tweeted about an athletics official bully, and I was accused of being in the wrong,” he wrote.
“So I’m going cautiously but, I’ll call them an athletics volunteer from the same county, messaged to let me know, ‘f**s like me aren’t welcome within athletics.’ 2020 fills me with hope.”
Bosworth said that he has reported the comment to the relevant social media platform, adding: “I get the impression they wouldn’t have the guts to say anything in person but will keep an eye out.”
I’ve once tweeted about an athletics official bully, and I was accused of being in the wrong. So Im going cautiously but, I’ll call them an athletics volunteer from the same county messaged to let me know, “fags like me aren’t welcome within athletics”. 2020 fills me with hope ?
— Tom Bosworth (@TomBosworth) June 13, 2020
“I laughed (to myself) and blocked them,” he continued. “Won’t engage with that any more. I’m only in the mood to spread joy.”
UK Athletics confirmed that they were aware of the incident. Bosworth later tweeted that he had been contacted by the governing body offering to investigate but would not be taking the matter any further.
“Thanks for all the lovely messages, so much love and solidarity. Thanks to British Athletics for reaching out,” he said.
“On this occasion I decided not to take it further. Any repeat, that won’t be the case. I’m confident in my own skin and will protect those who aren’t.”
