Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi has applauded
fellow figure skater Brian Boitano on coming out, calling him
“brave.”
Yamaguchi made her comments during an
appearance on HuffPost Live.
“Obviously, he's a good friend,”
Yamaguchi said of Boitano. “Absolutely love him and support
whatever is going on. I know he really was brave and took a stand.
And so, completely support him.”
Boitano, the 1988 Olympic figure
skating champion, announced he's gay two days after he was tapped by
President Barack Obama to join a 10-person delegation to represent
the U.S. at the Winter Olympics to be held next month in Sochi,
Russia. The inclusion of two openly gay athletes – tennis legend
Billie Jean King and hockey player Caitlin Cahow – made headlines
for what appeared to be a symbolic message from the White House to
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in June signed a controversial
law banning the promotion of “gay propaganda.”
Being gay “is something that doesn't
define” Boitano, Yamaguchi said, “but is part of who he is.”
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Yamaguchi added that she would attend
the Sochi Games.
(Related: Brian
Boitano responds to Matt Lauer's “not surprised” comment.)