Mitcham on the lead gay parade float.

Mitcham on the lead gay parade float.

Gold-medal Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham was the grand marshal of the annual gay Mardi Gras parade in Sydney, Australia, attended by an estimated 300,000 people. (See full-size image of Mitcham on parade).

Mitcham took center stage on the first float, dressed in green shorts and gold singlet, his Beijing gold medal hanging around his neck.

Surrounding him were male dancers, dressed in Speedos and carrying scorecards.

Mitcham on the lead gay parade float.

Mitcham on the lead gay parade float.

Gold-medal Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham was the grand marshal of the annual gay Mardi Gras parade in Sydney, Australia, attended by an estimated 300,000 people. (See full-size image of Mitcham on parade).

Mitcham took center stage on the first float, dressed in green shorts and gold singlet, his Beijing gold medal hanging around his neck.

Surrounding him were male dancers, dressed in Speedos and carrying scorecards.

Earlier on Saturday, the only openly gay medal winner at the Beijing Games told reporters he grew up as an “ugly duckling”, but became a champion on the trampoline and later the diving board to complete his fairytale story.

“Mardi Gras is the biggest celebration of homosexuality in the world and aims to promote not just the tolerance but the acceptance of the gay community in the wider community,” he said.

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