Gay athletes face widespread homophobia, discrimination: study

Four out of five gay athletes say they have experienced or witnessed homophobic abuse and discrimination, according to a new study into homophobia in sport.

 

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High numbers of gay athletes have experienced bullying, verbal threats and homophobic abuse, a new study shows.

The study, Out on the Fields, showed almost half of the respondents had experienced targeted bullying, violence or threats, Fairfax Media reports.

Almost 2500 people across all levels of sport were surveyed for the study, aged 15 and upwards. 

The respondents were an even split of both gay and straight people. 

Verbal abuse was common, with 82 per cent of gay respondents reporting they had been targeted in this manner.

Thirteen per cent said they had been victim to physical assault. 

The survey - described on its website as "the first international study on homophobia in sports" - was commissioned by organisers of the Gay Rugby World Cup, which will take place in Sydney next month.

The findings come after Australian Olympian Ian Thorpe confirmed he was gay in a revealing television interview aired over the weekend.

During the interview Thorpe revealed the pressure he felt to keep his sexuality hidden.