Olympics soccer star Megan Rapinoe came out with her sexuality, saying that she is gay and hopes that her coming forward with her sexual identity will pave the way for other gay athletes to feel more confident with themselves.
Rapinoe, one of the most recognizable and popular players on the United States women's team, came out this week in an interview with Out.com and revealed that she has dated Australian soccer player Sarah Walsh for more than a year.
"I feel like sports in general are still homophobic, in the sense that not a lot of people are out," Rapinoe said. "I feel like everyone is really craving people to come out. People want - they need - to see that there are people like me playing soccer for the good old U.S. of A."
Rapinoe performed well during the USA's run to the final of the Women's World Cup last year in the teams quarterfinal victory over Brazil.
Rapinoe is expected to again play a major role as the side seeks to retain the Olympic crown it won with an extra-time victory, also against Brazil, in Beijing four years ago.
