Sky Sports Channel Logo

Cycling News

Home

  • Live on Sky
  • Video
  • Get Sky Sports
  • Sky Bet

LGBT allies Callum Skinner and Chris Hughton on My Icon: Rainbow Laces

Watch My Icon: Rainbow Laces - available On Demand

By Sky Sports

Last Updated: 28/11/17 8:00pm

Watch a clip from the fifth episode of My Icon as Callum Skinner and Chris Hughton talk about why they support LGBT people to be themselves

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Watch a clip from the fifth episode of My Icon as Callum Skinner and Chris Hughton talk about why they support LGBT people to be themselves
Watch a clip from the fifth episode of My Icon as Callum Skinner and Chris Hughton talk about why they support LGBT people to be themselves

Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Callum Skinner and Brighton boss Chris Hughton are the guests on the fifth episode of the new series of Sky Sports' My Icon.

As Rainbow Laces Week continues, Skinner and Hughton discuss why they are sporting figures who are proud to be known as allies to the LGBT community.

Callum Skinner won Olympic gold at Rio 2016 in the team sprint, racing with Great Britain team-mates Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes. He also claimed silver in the individual sprint behind Kenny.

Last year, the Scot chose to speak to the media about his family background. Skinner's father, Scott, is gay, and the cyclist explains how a conversation with his dad prior to the Games made him feel more open about sharing that information.

I decided this is something that I'm going to be more open about, because my dad shouldn't have to hide who he is.

Callum Skinner

"The BOA [British Olympic Association] have a support network for families," Skinner tells My Icon. "It's in case the media suddenly jumps on your family so that they have some help; if your mum or dad are getting tons of phone calls from everywhere and it all gets a bit manic.

"It was only around about the Games when my dad was signing up to the scheme with the BOA, that he said to me, 'you know, I don't mind hiding the gay thing'.

Callum Skinner (r) with Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny after winning Olympic gold in the team sprint at Rio 2016
Callum Skinner (r) with Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny after winning Olympic gold in the team sprint at Rio 2016

"It was at that point that my heart sunk. And then I thought, 'I've truly been hiding this'. So I decided that win, lose or draw, after the Games, this is something that I'm going to be more open about, because my dad shouldn't have to hide who he is."

In the film, the 25-year-old also reveals who he considers to be an icon among LGBT allies from the world of sport, and why the chosen host nations for the next two World Cup football tournaments show how important it is to keep fighting for equality and inclusion.

Also featuring in this episode of My Icon is Brighton manager Chris Hughton, who is not only one of the game's sharpest coaches but also one of its most respected voices on the benefits of diversity.

You've got to be happy with yourself, and who you are. It's the reason why someone chooses to come out.

Chris Hughton

Hughton, who won over 50 international caps for the Republic of Ireland and played the majority of his club career at Tottenham, is one of only five black, Asian and minority ethnic managers currently working in the Premier League and EFL. He was honoured by Kick It Out earlier this year with a special tribute evening.

The Albion boss believes the performance of a player who was gay would likely improve if that player felt confident enough to come out.

"An individual that's happy with his home life, and he's happy with who he is, trains better, performs better, sleeps better," Hughton tells My Icon.

Chris Hughton has been manager of Brighton since 2014
Chris Hughton has been manager of Brighton since 2014

"You've got to be happy with yourself, and who you are. It's the reason why someone chooses to come out.

Also See:

  • Rainbow Laces on Sky Sports
  • Stonewall | Rainbow Laces
  • My Icon on Sky Sports
  • Richardson-Walshs on 'connections'

"From a personal point of view, them being happy that way - people knowing, and giving them that support base - leads to a far better environment."

Don't miss Callum Skinner and Chris Hughton discussing being LGBT allies on My Icon: Rainbow Laces. All My Icon episodes are also available on Demand.

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Mbappe has Real Madrid and PSG agreements
  • 2
    Papers: Burnley want Kompany as boss if they stay up
  • 3
    Hamilton 'super happy' with Merc progress | Russell: Red Bull favourites
  • 4
    PL Predictions: A Man City wobble? Surely not?
  • 5
    Everton 'confident' FFP rules followed after Burnley & Leeds threaten action
  • 6
    Klopp's Ferraris ready for one final title push
  • 7
    Premier League Final Day: What's still to play for?
  • 8
    Red Bull plan internal investigation into Aston Martin 'imitation' car
  • 9
    Zalatoris moves ahead at PGA; McIlroy slips back as Woods makes cut
  • 10
    Leclerc edges Russell, Hamilton as Merc join Spain fight
  • Video
  • Latest News

Around Sky Sports

Sky Sports

Get Sky Sports

Your sport. Your way. 8 dedicated channels

NOW

Stream on NOW

Live stream Sky Sports with a NOW Sports Membership

Competitions win prizes

Win Win Win

Win in our free to enter competitions section

  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2022 Sky UK