Andrei Stekala
Courtesy of Andrzej Stykala/InstagramPolish ski player Andrei Stekala He came out as gay after the death of his long-term partner. Damien.
Stękała, 29 – member of the Polish national team and bronze medalist at the 2020 World Ski Flying Championships – shared a slideshow of photos and videos Via Instagram From the duration of their relationship along with his heartfelt message.
“I want you all to know who I really am. I'm gay,” Stękała wrote in a post on Wednesday, January 1. “I've hidden this from the world for years, from you, from the media, and sometimes from myself.”
He continued: “In 2016, I met the person who changed my life. He has been my rock, my support, and my biggest supporter. Together we shared life, emotions, joys and difficult moments. He was my everything, my home, my heart. We loved in silence, hiding our love from the world to protect what was most important to us.
Ralf Schumacher has come out as gay, sharing a photo of his partner on social media. Schumacher (49 years old) wrote on Instagram, Sunday, July 14, in German: “The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.” He attached his comment with (…)
Stikala revealed that Damien died in November, but did not reveal the cause of death.
“I cannot describe the pain I felt,” he wrote. “The world we built together has been shattered into pieces. Every day without him is a struggle, but it's also a reminder of how infinitely loved I am and how deep the love I had was.”
As the calendar turns, Stikala vows to enter a “new chapter.”
“I don't want to hide my identity anymore,” he said. “I am myself, a man who loved and still loves. I know that he wants me to continue to live in peace with myself.”
Stękała added: “Please understand and respect. My story is a love story that deserves light, not shadow.
Andrei Stekala
Björn Reichert/Nordic Focus/Getty ImagesThe athlete thanked his support system of “family and friends” for giving him the “courage to open up.”
He concluded the post: “For the rest of my days, I will carry his name in my heart.”
Many of Stękała's friends and members of the skating community left their supportive comments on his post.
“Stay strong Andrzej💪 It's heartbreaking to read about your loss🥀”, Norwegian World Champion Halvor Aegner Granerud books. “I hope Brave 2025 is a good year for you, filled with the freedom of not hiding who you are. All good wishes ☺.”
Sonder Ringen“You are brave and strong Andre ❤️ I wish you all the best amidst this tragic loss,” the Norwegian skier wrote.
“A beautiful, if heartbreaking, story about love alone,” journalist Krzysztof Jankowski Yanks Comment. “Thank you for opening up to us.”
