Comments on: The whole country loves him

By: Mal

Mal — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:19:04 +0000

I agree with Tony, his raw emotion was so infectious and a tad rare in this Olympics. Some of our other medalists had responses that seemed so carefully tailored by so-called marketing geniuses that they left us (well, me at least) flat. I think Matthew, Sally McLellan (hurdles silver) and the brave pole vault gold medalist, Steve Hooker left many of the others for dead.
Matthew really deserves to do well out of all the publicity as he has worked so hard. I hope he isn’t exploited and that he remains one of our widely respected sporting legends for many years. His generous treatment of others and his genuine self-effacing reactions to his achievements are an example to all of us.

By: Tony (LT)

Tony (LT) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:18:28 +0000

I think he is a much more interesting story than Michael Phelps. Phelps did exactly what everyone expected. I don’t mean to say that it is nothing short of amazing, but we all knew it was going to happen. Just a matter of when.

Matthew wasn’t supposed to achieve what he did. Even he didn’t expect it or think it was even a possibility. I think the best part was when he finished his last dive and got the great scores he was elated because he thought he had won silver. He had no idea he had the gold. He was just thrilled to get a medal.

It’s so much in the true spirit of the Olympics..a spirit that has all but disappeared. So unlike the wrestler who left his bronze medal on the mat because he felt he should have gold.

By: mercantour

mercantour — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:32:02 +0000

Not only Australia but all gays from others countries . He is a legend .

By: superchilled

superchilled — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:59:35 +0000

This is a great video / interview. Quite inspirational really. Especially as it was filmed before he competed in Beijing. Well done aussiebum too!

By: David

David — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:20:07 +0000

It ain’t just Australia that loves him. The whole gay world is smitten.