Ian Matos, the Brazilian Olympic diver, has died at the age of 32 from a non-COVID related lung infection.
Matos, who credited British, fellow Olympic diver Tom Daley with giving him the courage to come out of the closet, spent the last two months of his life in a hospital before passing on December 21.
He publicly came out as gay in 2014 after being inspired by seeing Daley’s coming out video in 2013.
Matos told the Correia newspaper when he came out that he could no long manage the pressure of hiding his personal life. He also said a close friend had advised him against going public.
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Matos, whose main event was the men’s synchronized three-meter springboard, won three bronze medals at the 2010 South American Games.
He also competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics, coming in eighth place with his diving partner, Luiz Outerelo.
The Brazilian Olympic Committee offered this statement of condolence: “It is with deep sadness that the Olympic Committee of Brazil (COB) receives the news of the early death, at the age of 32, of Olympic diving athlete Ian Matos, victim of a lung infection.”
“Ian had a successful career and was part of the Brazilian team at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara 2011, Toronto 2015 and Lima 2019, in addition to the World Water Sports Championships, World Cups, South American Championships and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”
Here’s a look at Matos discussing the importance of LGBTQ visibility:
Chrisk
I’d be interested in whether or not he was fully vaccinated. Statistically speaking I pretty much already know the answer.
Am in the PM
@ Chrisk: “Ian Matos, the Brazilian Olympic diver, has died at the age of 32 from a non-COVID-related lung infection.”
His death was not related to COVID.
Raphael
Did you read? He died from a NON-COVID RELATED lung infection… And he had a picture getting vaccinated on his IG. Unlike the US, we don’t have that much crazy anti-vax people, the vast majority of people are fully vaccinated, we are getting the 3rd dose.
Chrisk
Woops. Well in the voice of Gilda Radner. Carry on.
Jaquelope
ChrisK : Gilda’s most famous words were, “Never mind.”, not “Carry on.”
jayceecook
@Jaquelope I liked when Jane Curtin was her co-anchor and she added “b*tch!”.
loganNyc
This is to Raphael – “unlike the US” ? Like where then?
Kangol2
@loganNYC, I assume Raphael is writing from Brazil, which is where Ian Matos was from. (RIP) Some (many?) Brazilian states have very high vaccination rates, even though Brazil has a president, Bolsonaro, who is giving Don the Con a run for his money in for sheer malevolence and utter incompetence.
connorlarkin19
The ‘only crazy non- anti-Vaxer’ is authoritarian President Bolsinaro.
barryaksarben
RIP. It is truly brave to come out in South AMerica where you have people like Bolsinaro in most governments or trying to replace current governments. HE was a beautiful brave man.
jrmat654
Pease be sure to watch his included video. A level headed respectable young man. Gone way too soon. RIP
Kangol2
Very sad news. RIP Ian Matos.
Tombear
I don’t like saying it but everyone must die.