"When the President named the delegation and I read in the news what his message was, of tolerance and diversity, I thought, 'I have to take this opportunity,' " the figure skating gold medalist, whom Barack Obama been named to the U.S. delegation for the 2014 Sochi Olympics, told Matt Lauer on Thursday's Today show.
"I think the message is so strong," said Boitano, 50. "I always wanted to represent my country as best I could. And I knew that I had to go past my comfort zone and reveal a private side of my life that I've never done before because I felt that the message is so strong."
Admitted Lauer to his guest at the outset of the interview, which was promoted as Boitano's first time talking about his Dec. 19 announcement that he is gay, "Can I say, and please don't take this the wrong way, I wasn't shocked."
Boitano laughed and agreed that he has never hidden his identity.
"First of all, the reaction has been fantastic and really supportive, but I never really felt that I had to [come out]," he said. "I have always been a private person. I've kept my private side of my life special for family and friends who really knew me. I've never been ashamed of who I was, I've always been open with them."
Boitano said he doesn't feel he needs to make an additional statement against Russia's anti-gay laws once he and the delegation arrive in Russia for the Feb. 7 Opening Ceremony.
"You know, I think we have to be careful once we get over there. I think the statement is already being made by us being on the delegation and [tennis legend] Billie Jean [King] and [hockey medalist] Caitlin [Cahow] and us standing together united as gay people showing that there is freedom of speech and we are successful human beings and athletes – and I think that that speaks measures."
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