From: NewNowNext
Rafaela Silva, a Brazilian judo athlete who won her country’s first Olympic gold medal earlier this week, has come out publicly as gay.
The judo champion became a national hero following her victory in the women’s 57k category Monday.
Aside from her impressive fighting skills, fans and journalists alike have been drawn to her personal story, which has seen her rise from the notorious City of God slum all the way to Olympic gold.
It’s an incredible narrative and one that has become even richer with the public reveal that Silva is a lesbian.
Though journalists have suspected as much of the 24-year-old Olympic star, who regularly posts romantic photos of herself with her social media manager Thamara Cezar on Instagram, Silva had yet to comment on her sexuality.
However, following her Monday triumph, Silva decided to set the record straight in an interview with Globo Sports.
In the interview, Silva confirmed that she is a lesbian and that she has been living with Cezar for the past three years. In addition to running Silva’s social media, Cezar also manages her press and takes care of the home they share together with their three dogs, whom they call their “children.”
The judo champion talks at length about her admiration for Cezar, without whose constant support Silva knows she would be unable to compete as well as she does.
“She was there every day and knew how I was feeling, when I was sick when I wasn’t,” Silva said. “Everything I needed, she was there to do it, so she is also very important in this victory.”
Rafaela now joins the record 48 openly LGBT athletes competing at the Rio Games.
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