Olympian Mark Foster: "It took me a long time to accept myself"

Former professional swimmer and now TV pundit, Mark Foster, has been opening up about his experiences of living an exhausting "double life" before coming out as gay.

Following an illustrious career in the pool, having competed in no less than five Olympic Games, he's now released his tell-all memoir, detailing his personal journey towards self-acceptance after coming out publicly in 2017 - at the age of 47.

The man from Essex has been talking to Hits Radio Pride, describing the challenges of growing up as a closeted gay athlete, while maintaining a successful career in the public eye.

"This isn't a coming out story," he explained, detailing the book explores his journey from being expelled from a school in Southend to becoming one of the fastest swimmers in the world.

'It took me a long time to accept myself'

Why now?

Mark explained, nearly a decade on from telling the world he was gay, 2026 is a good opportunity to start a conversation, be vulnerable, and help other people, who've lived a similar story to him.

He said: "The thing about living a 'double life' harks back to the '70s and '80s, when being gay just wasn't seen by society as normal.

"On the playground, and in the swimming pools, being 'gay' just wasn't perceived as being OK.

"The language that was used around it led me to having to hide a huge part of who I am - I had my home, private, life, and then I had my work life, and it took me a long time to accept myself.

"Let's face it, we all want to be liked by other people, we all want to fit in, so it took me a long time to present my authentic self to the world."

He's since been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and explained his work outside of the pool has focused on calling out those who intimidate others - just for being who they are.

Mark added: "I think it's been a part of me from an early age, that I've always been someone to back others up.

"I don't like bullies, and minority groups are bullied for being who they are; be that their sexuality, the colour of their skin, or their religion.

"I just think it's unacceptable, so I have always been there, but I've just been as visible as some of the others."

Mark says the LGBT+ landscape in his sport has changed for the better since he was growing up, but added how many out there still struggle with being truly open.

He revealed: "I wouldn't say things have progressed a lot, however, since my book has come out, I've had people - some who are in the closet - reaching out to me, saying thanks for being so vulnerable.

"I've even had people the same age as me, saying how they haven't had the strength to come out.

"Parents have messaged me saying how their sons have just told their families they're gay, and how the book has triggered a conversation to happen.

"And it all goes back to the question about why people still struggle - and that's because they're told being gay is wrong.

"Language is very important, and so is visibility, and people simply should be who they want to be."

'The Olympics get people talking about minority sports'

As we celebrate a huge 'Summer of Sport', he's been talking about his hopes for the sports that don't always make it to our TV screens.

He said: "We seem to be a footballing mad nation - and Wimbledon every year is a massive highlight, which is really good.

"I like the idea that sport is pushed, because my big thing is making sure we encourage people to get moving, and being fit and active.

"The social and health aspects are really important - and I just wish we covered more swimming!

"We've got the Commonwealth Games and European Championships this summer, and I just think it should be on TV more, but unfortunately it's not - because it's more of a minority sport.

"The beauty of the Olympics, for example, is that you get people talking about sports that we don't see on-screen very often.

"I'm very fortunate to sit pool-side with Rebecca Adlington and Clare Balding, and we have a laugh, and we love it - and we get to showcase that passion with the wider public.

"But things like gymnastics and canoeing, to shooting, for example - everyone becomes an expert for a fortnight every four years, and I just think it's beautiful."

Life Beyond Competitions

Foster's renowned sporting career - having trained in the 90s and 00s at the University of Bath - includes winning a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and carrying the British flag during the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony of the games that year.

His memoir also touches on his post-competitive life, including his participation in the widely popular dance show, Strictly Come Dancing, and his burgeoning broadcasting career.

These experiences serve as a reminder to reassess the progress society has made towards diversity and acceptance of homosexuality in sports.

Beyond sharing his personal story, My Double Life aims to inspire readers to embrace their true selves, regardless of societal pressures.

And if you're after a 'behind-the-scenes' secret - the night before he raced, he'd eat a 200g bar of chocolate and two beers!

He added: "Bearing in mind my event was 21 seconds, a lot of people asked me about this ritual.

"I'm only human - and it just became a superstition, and worked for me."

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