Bisexual gymnast Rayan Dutra heading to Paris 2024 Olympics
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Soaring through the air with twists and flips, Rayan Dutra revels in the exhilarating sense of liberation that trampoline gymnastics offers.
From the age of 11, he has been perfecting his craft in his hometown of Belo Horizonte. Now, he’s gearing up to represent Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympics after achieving a historic qualification milestone, according to ‘Out Sports’.
“Discovering this sport as a child, all I ever wanted was to jump on a trampoline. It has become not just a passion but my profession,” he shared with Outsports, with his medals prominently displayed behind him.
“The thought of competing in the Olympics thrills me!” Dutra, glowing with excitement, is the first Brazilian man to qualify for an Olympic trampoline event without the automatic entry previously granted when Brazil hosted the Rio 2016 Games. His national federation has confirmed his selection for Paris.
Image Credit: Canva
At 22, Dutra’s star is on the rise. He clinched a silver medal at the recent Pan American Games in Santiago and enjoys a burgeoning profile, spurred by his popular TikTok account which boasts over 700,000 followers. He goes by his other surname, Castro, on his social media platforms, where he enhances his gymnastic displays with creative edits, amassing 11 million likes.
Dutra also showcases his flair for fashion and playful personality on Instagram, navigating social media guidelines with tasteful expressions.
Comfortable in his skin and sporting a mustache, he is open about his sexuality. “I’ve never concealed the fact that I’m bisexual,” he mentions as his cat, Agora, joins him for a quiet moment. Both are accustomed to the spotlight.
Dutra is poised to shine under the intense lights of Paris’s Bercy Arena, with worldwide audiences tuning in. He embraces this opportunity not just for personal glory but to promote his sport, his nation, and the LGBTQ+ community.
“Trampoline doesn’t usually get much media attention, so it’s incredible to have such a large platform to showcase what we do,” he acknowledges.
Though soccer dominates in Brazil, Dutra admits, with a chuckle, “Honestly, it’s not a sport I’m fond of. I know, it’s almost sacrilegious as a Brazilian, but gymnastics has always been my passion.”
Navigating his youth was challenging at times. “Being slightly more feminine than other boys meant facing some bullying,” he recalls. Yet, his talent was recognized early on when scouts from the esteemed Minas Tenis Clube visited his school, marking the beginning of his journey in competitive gymnastics.
His potential was evident at his debut major senior event, the 2019 Pan Am Games in Lima, where he placed fifth at just 17.
Pandemic-era restrictions gave him ample time to enhance his social media presence, a platform he adores for its power to connect and educate others about trampoline gymnastics.
Returning to competition in 2021, Dutra made a strong showing at his first World Championships and clinched a gold at the Junior Pan Am Games. Despite a temporary setback from back surgery, he bounced back to become the national champion, capture a silver in individual and a bronze in synchro at the Santiago Pan Am Games, compete at the World Championships in Birmingham, U.K., and achieve his ranking goal at the recent World Cup event in Cottbus, Germany.
“I’m focused on competing at the Olympics, but I’m also passionate about using this platform to influence, share my experiences as a bi man, advocate for LGBTQ rights, and highlight the importance of visibility,” Dutra stated.
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