Blake Skjellerup Gay New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup has missed out on qualifying for the Winter Olympics, by the narrowest of margins. He’s finished 33rd in the world rankings for the 500 metre short track competition, where 32 automatic Olympic spots were handed out. The proud New Zealander, who competed in Vancouver in 2010, was planning to take a stand against Russia’s anti-gay laws by wearing a rainbow pin during his time in Sochi. However there is still a chance he will be able to compete, as being ranked 33rd he is the first alternate racer, so should any of the qualifying nations choose not to send a skater for their spot. Skjellerup has tweeted: “I don't like the word fail. You don't fail at anything having known you have done your best.” Upon hearing the news, people all over the globe are expressing pride in his hard work and activism in his battle to get to Sochi.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 12th December 2013 - 8:29am