Andrea Sanna“For years I lived in the shadow of fear, hiding, afraid that who I really was would destroy me”.
Polish ski jumping champion Andrzej Stekala, 29, has posted a moving coming out message on his Facebook page in memory of his partner, who died last November.
The champion hid his true “self” for years, fearing it would destroy him.
“For a long time I wondered if I would ever find the strength to write these words. For years I lived in the shadow of fear, hiding, afraid that who I really was would destroy me. I want you to really know me. I am gay“.
And after coming out, Andrzej Stekala spoke about his recent grief over the loss of his partner, Damian, with whom he had shared eight years of his life.
“In 2016 I met the person who changed my life. He was my pillar, my support, my biggest cheerleader. Together we shared everything: life, passions, joys and difficult moments. He was my everything, my home, my heart. We loved each other in silence, protecting our love from the world, protecting what was most precious to us. I lost him last November. It is impossible to describe the pain I felt. The world we had built together was falling apart. Every day without him is a struggle, but also a reminder of how deeply I loved and how deeply I was loved. Today, on the 1st of January, I have decided to start a new chapter. I no longer want to hide who I am. I am myself: a man who has loved and continues to love. And I know that he would want me to find peace and live in harmony with myself“.
A message that struck a chord with many fans, colleagues and members of the sporting community, who have not failed to show their support, solidarity and affection for Andrzej Stekala.
