Gay swimmer named as patron of Scottish sports charity - Australia Gay News Network

Team Scotland 2014 Swimmer Martin Cremin will become the first official patron of LEAP Sports Scotland, an organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting LGBTI people in sport. A former Scottish Champion who represented Scotland in the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Cremin has enjoyed a high profile over the past couple of years.

He has also previously spoken out in the media about coming out as gay, and has highlighted the positive and inclusive experience he had within his sport.

“I really wanted to talk out to end any perception that as a gay person you can’t participate in sport,” he said.

“Being gay has made absolutely no difference to my career as a swimmer at all. If I had a message to young swimmers just starting out who might be gay, I’d say it really doesn’t matter. The experience I had was very positive – never any homophobia or prejudice. It’s a very supportive, inclusive community, and for me being gay and a swimmer have never been an issue.”

Cremin said LEAP Sports Scotland had achieved a great deal in the short time that it has been operating.

“Pride House is one of my stand out memories from Glasgow 2014. I feel privileged to be joining the organisation at what is an exciting time for LGBTI sport in Scotland and I hope that I can use my role to help LEAP achieve its goals in the coming months.”

Cremin has now retired from swimming, after a career which saw him take titles including French champion, British Universities Champion and Scottish Champion 2009-13.

He is now focused on a new career as a police officer and is using his free time as a Special Constable with Police Scotland to gain valuable experience.

“I’ve always been interested in the Police and have been working as part of a team in Central Scotland for a while,” he said.

“It wasn’t convenient to join in the past due to my training regime but now it feels right for me.”

Author Andrew Shaw