Graeme Obree reveals he is gay

25 comments
By Richard Tyler in London, UK | Monday, Jan 31, 2011 11.40am

Graeme Obree, a two-time World Champion and hour record holder, has admitted the torment he faced as he came to terms with his sexuality, after revealing that he is gay to a British newspaper.

In an interview with the Scottish Sun newspaper published on Monday, Obree admitted that the anxiety associated with hiding the fact that he was gay had led to two separate attempts to take his own life, in 1998 and 2001.

"I was brought up by a war generation; they grew up when gay people were put in jail. Being homosexual was so unthinkable that you just wouldn't be gay. I'd no inkling about anything, I just closed down," Obree told the newspaper.

While Obree has only now made it public, he said he had come out to his family (he is now divorced from his wife) shortly after discussing the truth about his sexuality with a psychologist in 2005. He admitted that the revelation had been a particular shock for his parents, though the truth has had a positive impact upon his relationship with them.

"It was difficult and there were lots of tears. It wasn't easy. But the relationship with my parents has been improved by it," he said. "We talked about it and discussed things and we're a lot happier."

In 2001, it was revealed that Obree had been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. He told the Scottish Sun that his sexuality had also been a factor in attempts to take his own life.

"I was brought up thinking you'd be better dead than gay. I must have known I was gay and it was so unacceptable," said the 45-year-old.

Both Obree's private life and his achievements on the bike have combined to make him one of cycling's most enigmatic figures. The Scotsman claimed the World individual pursuit title in 1993 and 1995 but is best known for his innovative and pioneering attempts at the World hour record.

He claimed the hour record twice, in 1993 and 1994. The first successful, in Norway, saw him best a nine-year-old record held by Italian Francesco Moser using a hand-made bike constructed from spare parts dubbed 'Old Faithful'. That record lasted only a week as Englishman Chris Boardman improved on Obree's effort in Bordeaux, France during a rest day of that year's Tour de France.

Obree reclaimed the record in April, 1994 on the same track used by his English rival after making adaptations to 'Old Faithful'. That record was improved upon by Spaniard Miguel Indurain five months later.

In 2009 Obree revealed that he was planning another attempt to improve on the hour record held by Ondrej Sosenka since 2005, but the plan was later scrapped.

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User Comments

There are 25 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 comments

  • Good on him.

    I think this is a much bigger problem than we recognise, lots of my psych patients are people who've been brought up believing it's wrong to be gay and have spend much of their lives suppressing it.

    Good Job Graeme.

  • Sorry it caused so much anxiety - hopefully now his head is in a better place and he'll have a go at some sort of cycling record. As for being gay... Graeme, nobody cares (in a good way).

  • Just shows the damage homophobia can do - I really hope he is now at peace with himself

  • Well done Graeme. Hero then, hero now.

  • It only gets better.

    Graeme, it took courage to admit it to yourself and then the world. And as @garrynolan says, nobody actually cares. Being gay does not define a person, you're a great cyclist, good person, ..., oh, and by the way gay.

  • Thanks, Graeme. You're a beautiful, heroic man!

    I hope that the many other closeted gay/bi/lesbian folks in the professional sports world are inspired to do come out as well. If enough people did this, all of the hate, fear, and self-loathing would dissolve into thin air. Imagine a world where athletes were judged purely by their achievements. Soon everyone would realize that all sexual orientations are "normal". What is abnormal is the illogical fear and hatred of gay people.

  • I met Graeme - albeit briefly in Dumfries, a lovely unassuming chap. Good on you and glad you've outed yourself. We may be in the 21st Century - but homophobia lives on.

  • Good on you Graeme.

    Your Heroic rides made many people proud and happy.

    Hopefully you can now find some of that happiness for yourself.

  • Graeme is my number one sportsman; I'd love to have achieved even half what he has. Hopefully he's moving towards some of the happiness he's given so many of us.

  • +1 to the comments above. Obree's a legend.

  • Graeme, you were an inspiration to me, fantastic that you have done what you done. Never stop being yourself. FLYING SCOTSMAN, forever, always ALBA GU BRATH!!!

  • What a pity that some gay people feel the need to live in the closet. I think Ian Roberts (the gay Australian rugby league player) said that if anyone has a problem with him beign gay, it's their problem, not his. Anyway, west wishes to Obree, great rider, hope he's happy from now on.

  • Very disappointed with Bike Radar and this headline. Why not focus on the important things like his achievements. I the best possible way I don’t care what his sexual orientation is. I do however care about his cycling. Bike radar you are little better than the Red tops for running a story in this way.

  • @vit-t

    I feel that it's important that this news is 'broadcast', as IMO it may encourage others that are living through what Graeme has had to to have the confidence to follow suit, furthermore, it may encourage people to not keep things bottled up in the first place avoiding this awful mental anguish in the first place.

    Just wish the whole world who were gay would come out, then it really would be a non-issue.

    It's a catch 22. People are afraid of coming out because there is still a stigma, yet if everyone came out then it would eradicate that stigma. In my VERY humble opinion.

    NapD.

    BTW Graeme, you and that other guy, Chris wassisname are the reason I love cycling and cycle racing.

  • @vit-t: Couldn’t disagree more!

    Remember it was Graham’s decision to broadcast this news via the press. He wants the news to be spread, he wasn’t outed against his will!

    If you read the sentiments expressed above you’ll see that the news has been received as overwhelmingly positive. He says himself on Twitter: “I wish I could reply individually to all who have expressed support today I am overwhelmed and humbled, your support is immense, I had fear about today but instead I have been inspired”

    Graham is an absolute legend, I’ve always admired the athlete and now I admire him as a man

  • I am so happy for Graeme and so proud of him.

    Thank goodness times have changed - although there is still a lot of bigotry and medieval minded people out there!

    Tom

  • You can send Graham your best wishes via Twitter - very worthwhile to send some positive thoughts that he will actually read.

  • Cool, hope Graeme finds tranquillity.

  • Well done Graeme for coming out.Hope that it makes you feel better but none of us really care because whatever your sexuality you were a great rider.Your autobiography not only made me more aware of the struggles you have had in life but was also an entertaining read.Good luck in the future.

    Hopefully one of the tv channels will use you as a commentator some time his year and it will raise your profile to the public.

  • Be happy Graeme, you deserve to be. You're a great man.

  • Have you seen the size of the flipping gear he's running?

  • You're a great man, have achieved great things in life and I hope this opens up a new lease of life for you. Nobody should suffer torment or anxiety for something that is beyond their control. It's society wots wrong

  • Well done Graeme. Hopefully this is a significant step towards you making peace with yourself. I wish you all the best.

    Chapeau.

  • Well done Graeme. I hope the road is easier now. I hope you get to see these messages of support.

    pete

  • Obree gay? Hmm...I always thought it would have been Jonathan Vaughters from Garmin. He dresses to nice to be straight.

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