The diver, who had not expected to win gold, scored four perfect 10’s in his final heats.

Mitcham was the only gay male athlete out of 11 openly lesbian and gay Olympians.

Astonishingly, sixty-four per cent of out LGBT athletes competing in Beijing won medals.

As well as Mitcham, gold medalists included Natasha Kai, USA (Football); and Gro Hammerseng & Katya Nyberg, Norway (Handball), who took home gold after defeating Russia last Saturday.

“I think I am the happiest person on earth right now,” Nyberg told reporters after the match. “I think our speed was the ticket to the gold medal today.”

Lauren Lappin and bisexual athlete Vicky Galindo, USA (Softball) will take home silver medals; while Linda Bresonik, Germany (Soccer) takes home bronze.

Mitcham had previously battled depression, and difficulties with the Australian Institute of Sport involving a former coach, which led to him retiring from the sport.

Having only returned to diving18 months ago, his achievement has left the diving community, “gobsmacked”.

Gay Games diving champion, Dean Murphy told MCV: “He was under incredible pressure and he fought back and has come out better than ever”.

Murphy added that diving attracts “a lot of gay boys”.

“It’s like a lot of lesbians play tennis, that’s how diving is for gay men. I’ve never seen an ounce of homophobia in my 25 years in the diving world.”

Murphy predicts that Mitcham could compete in the next three or four Olympics, and adds that Mitcham won’t yet have realised what he has done for the sport.

“He will have no idea the impact this will have on the diving community. This comes down to insuring funding for the sport.”

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