I have always followed the career of Graeme Obree quite closely. Part of the reason he was always a cyclist I could identify with. A British timetrialist and pursuiter, not exactly enamoured with the world of European professional cycling and the bizarre implementation of UCI rules and regulation. I hope, if fate had gained me a pro contract on the continent – only to find a sport riddled with drugs, I would too have packed my bags and returned to being an amateur.
If you have read Obree’s autobiography, it’s very honest account; also quite tragic the emotional turmoil he went through. Yesterday, he announced that he was gay, but this was something he had kept secret for a long time.
“I was brought up thinking you’d be better dead than gay. Being homosexual was so unthinkable that you just wouldn’t be gay. I’d no inkling about anything, I just closed down.”
It must be hard to deny part of yourself, and he feels this may have been a contributing factor in his two suicide attempts.
Hopefully, when a great personality like Obree decides to be honest about himself, it will help others avoid a life time of worry, misplaced guilt and fear.
What a great cyclist, he overcame many problems and became a champion.
If you find yourself in Edinburgh you can see old faithful hanging for up in the National museum, it’s an amazingly looking machine.