Norfolk Olympic shotputter Sophie McKinna has spoken publicly about her sexuality in the hope she will be a role model for aspiring athletes in the LGBTQ+ community.
The athlete, from Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth, appeared on the BBC Sounds' LGBT Sport Podcast to discuss her current training with Team GB, her life growing up surrounded by sport and her decision to publicly announce that she is gay.
Miss McKinna said on the show: "I'm really privileged to have such a great platform as a professional athlete and maybe me speaking out could potentially help somebody else."
The athlete said when she was a teenager she felt there were not many role models who also identified as gay and the topic of her own sexuality was kept private between Miss McKinna and her friends and family.
"Now as a 28-year-old, I'm much more secure in myself," Miss McKinna said.
"Back then, I certainly wasn't.
"I've got a lot of really good friends around me, my family is fantastic and I've finally been able to be like 'hey, this is who I am'. I'm really comfortable and secure in that.
"I want to talk about it and be able to just live that life.
"With the Olympics coming up next year I want to clear that path and not have that 'looking-over-your-shoulder' feeling."
Miss McKinna said her decision to openly talk about her sexuality was not intended to be a 'coming out' announcement - she said those close to her have known for years and she said openly gay athletes are widely accepted in sports.
"I think in all honesty, I don't think this should be a thing anymore," she said.
"But unfortunately, it is.
"And I want to be a person on that path to push this forward and bring it out of the shadows."
Miss McKinna also shared her sporting background, citing her grandfather - Norwich City legend Dave Stringer - as an inspiration, and her ambition to stand out on the circle at Paris 2024.
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