Australian Olympic Swimmer Daniel Kowalski Comes Out as Gay. Check Out Pics From His Career.

This weekend Daniel Kowalski, an Olympic winning medalist from Australia, came out in the Australian newspaper The Age. In a column, titled "Jumping in the Deep End", Kowlaski discussed how hard it has been for him to deal with his sexuality, how he came to terms with it and the very serious issues he's still struggling with.

On how he's felt living in the closet:

You often read that when people came out they had felt depressed or had suicidal tendencies. I, like them, experienced all of the extremes, but mostly it was the loneliness that was the hardest part of being gay - and still is.

The number of times I have sat on the couch or lain in bed bawling my eyes out, scared and fearful of the future, are too many to mention. I know that people, regardless of their sexuality, experience this feeling, but stupidly in my mind I honestly felt that there was nowhere to go.

On being a gay elite athlete: 

Growing up in sport and subsequently working in it has made the whole acceptance of who I am extremely difficult for many reasons, but most of all for feeling as though there was nobody there to help me through. I am aware there are phone numbers you can call for advice and support, but it was so hard because there seemed to be a lack of accessible role models who were also elite athletes.

On how coming out has made him feel: 

Despite the dark, fearful and lonely times, being able to write this fills me with a sense of freedom, pride and relief. There truly is a genuine sense that everything will be OK.

Here is hoping things only get better for Daniel. 

Daniel, far left

Daniel today