Olympian Matthew Mitcham has become a gay icon the world over. But he hasn’t let it go to his head, reports Peter Hackney, who caught up with the diver for his first in-depth interview since winning Beijing gold. Photographs for SX by John McRae.

In Australia recently to promote her new reality TV series, Pamela Anderson held a press conference in Sydney. But Pam: Girl on the Loose wasn’t the only thing on the star’s mind. “Matthew Mitcham – I was hoping to meet him!” she whined, bemoaning the fact that he was holidaying in Europe.

Such is the world of extreme fame that Matthew Mitcham finds himself in since the Beijing Games. Matt, in case you’ve been under the proverbial rock, was the only openly-gay male competitor at Beijing. He was also the first openly-gay Australian to compete in an Olympics, achieved the highest single-dive score in Olympic history, won a gold medal in the process, and is the first openly-gay male to ever win Olympic gold.

Since that litany of firsts, if it’s not Pammy wanting to meet him, it’s celebrity blogger Perez Hilton calling him a “yummy, yummy screw” (goodness!). If it’s not Prime Minister Rudd congratulating him, it’s Sir Elton wanting an introduction. One day he’s on the cover of The China Daily newspaper and another, he’s on the front of American gay mag, The Advocate.

Many a celebrity has been sent into paroxysms of narcissism by such attention – but not Matthew Mitcham.

“I’m not really that famous,” he tells SX, in his first major interview since Beijing, and a subsequent holiday in Europe to wind down. “I’m just not anonymous anymore, that’s all.”

“I do get recognised a bit. Especially when I go shopping at Bondi Junction. It’s nice and humbling, but it still takes me by surprise. Someone will walk past and do a double take, then come back, shake my hand and say, ‘Congratulations’. And for a split second, I’ll think, ‘Have they got the right guy? Who have they mistaken me for?’”

So, with all the attention, how does he stop himself getting a big head?

“Well, I don’t know. It’s not for me to say. All I know is that I don’t ever wanna be a different person than I was. Apart from what just comes naturally with growing up and getting older and wiser.”

And there’s a big part of the Matthew Mitcham appeal, crystallised in that one simple response. Sure, he’s an Olympic hero; sure, he’s easy on the eye; yes, he’s a good role model for the gay community. But perhaps the most appealing thing about the Brisbane born-and-bred diver is his humility in the face of success.

In a world where everyone seems to be on the make, Matthew Mitcham is a refreshing change. Unlike some other athletes that come to mind, he’s not milking his Beijing experience like a frenzied bovine. He’s not selling his story to the highest bidder, for instance, but is instead speaking to the gay press, and a community that has strongly supported him. He’s not hitting the party circuit, but has slipped back comfortably into his training at the Sydney Aquatic Centre, practising the sport he loves, spending his spare time (what little there is) doing ordinary things like catching up with friends and family, and hanging out with his partner.

Speaking of whom, how is the other half – the enigmatic Lachlan Fletcher – taking to all the attention?

“He’s still shy,” Matt chuckles. “He hasn’t done any media, really. He’s just taking it in his stride as well, with me doing my training, and having to go away to all these functions and events. He’s just helping me along, which I’m extremely grateful for.”

It all sounds so ‘nice’ and ‘normal’. Controversy is the last thing that comes to mind when Matt and Lachlan’s relationship is broached. Yet controversy is the only word for the aftermath of US television network NBC’s coverage of Matt’s historic win.

While other networks around the world ran interviews with Matt after his win, flanked by his Mum (Vivienne) and Lachlan, NBC didn’t. And despite intensive coverage of other athletes’ families, the American network failed to explore Matt’s background, and did not refer to Lachlan.

In the resulting storm of protest which ensued, there was nothing for NBC to do but apologise. Gary Zenkel, President of NBC’s Olympic coverage, issued a statement saying: “We regret that we missed the opportunity to tell Matthew Mitcham’s story. We apologise for this unintentional omission.”

But in true Mitcham style, Matt seems unfazed by the fuss.

“I was busy with the Olympics at the time, so I was pretty much oblivious to it,” he recalls. “I did get sent links about it, so I found out about it, but in all honesty it wasn’t really my fight, and I wasn’t offended. It was other people that were making complaints and who were really into it.

“I don’t know whether or not NBC did it on purpose – I don’t really care. I’m pretty thick-skinned.”

As for the endless speculation over sponsorship deals and advertising, Matt will only say: “There’s been expressions of interest, but nothing has been signed. We’re working on things.”

Rumours of him agreeing to lead next year’s Mardi Gras Parade remain just that, too – rumours. At least at this stage: “I know for Mardi Gras organisers it’s probably not far away, but for me it’s so far into the future it’s not even something to think about now. I will think about it though, and I will be talking to them.”

There are a couple of projects, however, that Matt has committed to for the future.

One is a special appearance at the midnightshift club this weekend for an official ‘welcome home’ event hosted by SX, open to fans, well-wishers and the general public from 11pm Saturday.

And the other?

“I really want to meet Pamela,” he laughs. “I’d kill to meet her! She’d be a really cool, interesting person to meet, and if ever she’s out here again and wants to meet me, I’m free any time!”

Even for Matthew Mitcham, fame has its perks.

Matthew Mitcham is the special guest at 'Gear Shift' at the midnightshift club this Saturday, November 15. Open to the public from 11pm with a special performance by Raen.

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