Instagramさんのインスタグラム写真 - (InstagramInstagram)「“I want to be the best me. And to be the best me, I have to fully embrace who I am,” says Olympian Markus Thormeyer (@lilmarquenis), a 23-year-old competitive swimmer and student at the University of British Columbia.⁣ ⁣ While training with Team Canada for the 2016 Rio Olympics, Markus came out to his teammates.⁣ ⁣ “I wasn’t being who I am, even to some of my closest friends,” he says. “I didn’t want to go to the Olympics and not be me because then I wouldn’t perform to the best that I could.”⁣ ⁣ Markus credits coming out with making him more confident and focused, both in and out of the pool.⁣ ⁣ “It just felt easier, living felt easier every day. You don’t realize how much it adds up until after when you don’t have to do it anymore. You’re like, ‘Wow, I have the energy to be me.’”⁣ ⁣ Earlier this year, Markus shared his story to inspire other young athletes to embrace their authentic selves.⁣ ⁣ “I was always looking for role models growing up. When I did find a story about a gay athlete it was inspiring,” he says. “If one gay kid reads my story and is inspired, that’d be a win for me.”⁣ ⁣ In honor of #NationalComingOutDay, we’re sharing Markus’ story as we continue to celebrate members of the LGBTQ+ community who #ShareWithPride. 🏊‍♂️🌈✨⁣ ⁣ Photo of @lilmarquenis by @emilyoverholt」10月12日 4時42分