Jan. 2010 file photo shows former Olympian Brian Boitano smiles in the stands during the men's singles competition at the U.S. figure skating championships in Spokane, Wash. AP
BOSTON -- Brian Boitano never intended to publicly reveal he is gay until he waschosen for the U.S. Olympic delegation by President Obama last month.
Calling himself "a private guy," Boitano told The Associated Press on Thursday that he never planned to come out.
But moments before his presence on the delegation was revealed, Boitano realized what a powerful statement the president was making.
Mr. Obama chose openly gay athletes Billie Jean King and Caitlin Cahow for the delegation, as well.
Cahow told CBS News she has always been open with her sexuality with friends and family but was reluctant to make it an issue while she played. After retiring from hockey earlier this year, she said she became more comfortable talking about it in the public eye because of "undesirable policy" around the world.
Boitano said his decision to say "being gay is just one part of who I am" in a statement on Dec. 19 "literally came to fruition" moments before the White House announced the makeup of the delegation.
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