Gymnast Tomás González Is A Campeón On The Mat And Off
Campeón: Lecciones, Triunfos, y Caidas de un Gimnasta Olímpico (2023)
A Quick Book Review
"Supongo que ya no es tema, pero si, soy gay." (translation: "I suppose that it's not an issue anymore, but, yes, I am gay.") With his reserved presence, that may not have been what triple Olympian gymnast Tomás González wanted as the focus of his recently published autobiography, but, here in the United States at least, that's the line that dominates current discussion of who González is.
A Quick Book Review
"Supongo que ya no es tema, pero si, soy gay." (translation: "I suppose that it's not an issue anymore, but, yes, I am gay.") With his reserved presence, that may not have been what triple Olympian gymnast Tomás González wanted as the focus of his recently published autobiography, but, here in the United States at least, that's the line that dominates current discussion of who González is.
It was interesting to read Campeón: Lecciones, Triunfos y Caídas de un Gimnasta Olímpico (Champion: Lessons, Triumphs, and Falls of an Olympic Gymnast) just on the heels of finishing another autobiography of an Olympic sports athlete - Victor Gutiérrez's Balón Amarillo, Bandera Arcoíris: El Deporte de Elite Sale del Armario (Yellow Ball, Rainbow Flag: Elite Sport Out of the Closet) from 2022.
While water polo player Gutiérrez details his journey to becoming a visible and active LGBT voice while competing professionally, González - in Campeón and seemingly in general - takes a more subdued approach to his position as a high-profile gay (now-retired) athlete.
It's a reflection of both his singular years-long focus on developing and competing as a gymnast, and his acknowledgement of residing in a more conservative, smaller culture within Chile where his exposure to an LGBT population has been minimal. His self-realization took longer than others', including Gutiérrez; "Aceptarme me tomó varios años." ("Accepting myself took many years."), shares González. So, with his public coming out just happening now with Campeón's publication, he's still on a learning curve on what to do with this potential new platform of visibility. And that's okay - after all, which out person amongst us hasn't been there?
Which leaves the large remaining part of Campeón devoted to straightforward but interesting insight into his career as a gymnast: the highs of comepting in three Olympics, and the lows of both struggling to find support for a niche sport in a smaller nation, and finding the right training and coaching setup. González comes off rooted in strong family ties, sheltered by his sports focus, and now learning to be more comfortable with visibility as his career has wound down; speaking enagements increase, and his gymnastics school has taken off. It's a shame we didn't get behind-the-scenes commentary of his Aquí Se Baila experience!
For those of us whose attention was grabbed afar by González (and that mustache!) way back in 2012...Campeón offers a welcome understanding of his journey to now and his journey to come. I'm looking forward to seeing it develop.
While water polo player Gutiérrez details his journey to becoming a visible and active LGBT voice while competing professionally, González - in Campeón and seemingly in general - takes a more subdued approach to his position as a high-profile gay (now-retired) athlete.
It's a reflection of both his singular years-long focus on developing and competing as a gymnast, and his acknowledgement of residing in a more conservative, smaller culture within Chile where his exposure to an LGBT population has been minimal. His self-realization took longer than others', including Gutiérrez; "Aceptarme me tomó varios años." ("Accepting myself took many years."), shares González. So, with his public coming out just happening now with Campeón's publication, he's still on a learning curve on what to do with this potential new platform of visibility. And that's okay - after all, which out person amongst us hasn't been there?
Which leaves the large remaining part of Campeón devoted to straightforward but interesting insight into his career as a gymnast: the highs of comepting in three Olympics, and the lows of both struggling to find support for a niche sport in a smaller nation, and finding the right training and coaching setup. González comes off rooted in strong family ties, sheltered by his sports focus, and now learning to be more comfortable with visibility as his career has wound down; speaking enagements increase, and his gymnastics school has taken off. It's a shame we didn't get behind-the-scenes commentary of his Aquí Se Baila experience!
For those of us whose attention was grabbed afar by González (and that mustache!) way back in 2012...Campeón offers a welcome understanding of his journey to now and his journey to come. I'm looking forward to seeing it develop.
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