Olympic swimmer Sean Gunn was the “happiest version of himself” when he came out
A post shared by Sean Gunn (@seangunnnn)This profile is part of Queerty’s 2024 Out For Good series, recognizing public figures who’ve had the courage to come out and make a difference in the past year, in celebration of National Coming Out Day on October 11.Name: Sean Gunn, 30. Bio: A Zimbabwe native, Sean Gunn developed into a world-class swimmer before coming to the United States.
After earning First-Team All-American honors at Division II Limestone College, Gunn transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he swam from 2014-17 and was part of multiple record-breaking relay teams.Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.Gunn also competed at the international level during that time, winning bronze in the mixed 4×100 medley relay at the 2015 African Games.
The following year, Gunn earned his spot on Zimbabwe’s Olympic team for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero. While he didn’t leave with a medal, Gunn set the Zimbabwean national record in the men’s 100-meter freestyle.
He still holds his home nation’s record in the men’s 200m freestyle.A post shared by Sean Gunn (@seangunnnn)Gunn’s time in the pool ended after college, but his experience as a competitive swimmer left an indelible impression on the then-20-something. “I had dreamed of going to the Olympics since I was a little kid, and the whole time I was there I had to keep reminding myself that this is real life,” Gunn told Outsports earlier this year. “Knowing how much it took for me to get there has been a solid reminder to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to and set me up well for life after the Olympics and after a swimming career.”Formerly an Olympic swimmer, Sean Gunn remains at the top of the leaderboard. Coming Out: A major moment in Gunn’s post-Olympics journey came just months before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
