Dimitri Pavade accomplished something huge for the Paris Paralympics, competing in his home country and finishing fourth — just off the medal stand — in the Men’s Long Jump T64.
Now he’s done something just as remarkable, coming out publicly as gay in the midst of the Paralympics.
Pavade took to Instagram to share his true self shortly after his fourth-place finish in the long jump.
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“Today I was able to find my way and give meaning to what I accomplish every day, ‘want to be the icon of people with disabilities,'” the 35-year-old wrote in French on Instagram.
“I have another fight coming up and I was looking forward to this moment. Here I am today ready once again to face, overcome and move forward regardless of what others may say or think of me.
“Yes I am SMALL, mixed race ONE-LEGGED, and to top it off, GAY!!!!!! The person I am and like others never had a choice to make so stop with your pitiful speeches and unreasonable judgements because you will never change the world.”
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Team LGBTQ at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics
Our industry-leading database of out LGBTQ athletes at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris will include profiles of the out gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and nonbinary athletes. The Paralympics take place Aug. 28-Sept. 8. In Tokyo 2021 there were 36 out Paralympians, and 12 in Rio in 2016. The initial list will include first-time Paralympians, […]
By Outsports | August 20, 2024
Pavade won a silver medal in long jump T64 at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago.
In coming out publicly as gay, he’s only the sixth out male athlete Outsports knows of at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
That he chose to come out publicly as his home nation of France hosted the Paralympics — following the Olympics — makes it that much more special.
You can follow Dimitri Pavade on Instagram.
