AN OLYMPIC diver who said he was inspired to come out as gay by Tom Daley has died of a lung infection aged just 32.
Brazilian Ian Matos had been in hospital for almost two months before his condition worsened on Wednesday – after he showed signs of improvement.
Matos competed in the men’s synchronised three metre springboard at the 2016 Olympics and won three bronze medals at the 2010 South American Games.
He initially sought medical attention because of an infection in his throat which later spread to his stomach and lungs.
Brazil’s Olympic Committee said in a statement: “We are profoundly saddened to have received the news of the premature death of the Olympic diver Ian Matos, aged just 32.
“Team Brazil acknowledges his contribution to the evolution of the discipline.
“Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
Ian, full name Ian Carlos Goncalves de Matos, revealed in a newspaper interview in 2014 he had been inspired to stop hiding his sexuality by Tom Daley.
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The British diving champ had announced he was bisexual in 2013, though later said he was gay.
Ian said he confided in a friend he was gay after Daley’s revelation but was advised to keep it under wraps until after the 2016 Olympics so he didn’t lose sponsors.
He ended up coming out in 2014, saying the pressure of hiding boyfriends and not being himself proved too much.
Friends and well-wishers organised a fundraising drive last month so the diver's mum and siblings could travel to Rio and accompany him while he was receiving medical attention.
The appeal nearly doubled its £1,300 target in just a few days.
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