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On Wednesday, Mark Foster stepped out for the first time since coming out as gay when he attended the CLUB LOVE gala in honour of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The 47-year-old world champion confirmed he was gay in an interview with the Guardian, which was published on Monday afternoon, just two days before attending the event, where he posed alongside fellow openly gay sportsman Gareth Thomas.

In his big interview with the publication, he called upon the Welsh rugby player, who came out in 2009, and fellow Olympian Tom Daley, who confirmed his sexuality in 2013, as trailblazers for helping him stop ‘tiptoeing around the issue’. 

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Back again: On Wednesday, Mark Foster stepped out for the first time since coming out as gay when he attended the CLUB LOVE gala in honour of the Elton John AIDS Foundation

Back again: On Wednesday, Mark Foster stepped out for the first time since coming out as gay when he attended the CLUB LOVE gala in honour of the Elton John AIDS Foundation

Mark, who carried the Great Britain flag at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, was cutting a sharp figure at the event as he made his first public appearance since coming out as gay earlier in the week. 

He revealed he felt he had not been true to himself as he ‘tiptoed around’ issues over his sexuality for so long before coming out as gay. 

In the chat, he said: ‘I’m 47, a middle-aged man, and I’m no longer competing. And I’m not the first gay sportsman to come out. Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley led the way. I tiptoed around the issue for so long. 

‘I got good at the dance of telling half-truths. I’ve supported the Terence Higgins Trust, Stonewall, Ben Cohen’s Stand Up to Bullying campaign. But I’ve always done it under the radar.

An inspiration: The 47-year-old world champion confirmed he was gay in an interview with the Guardian, which was published on Monday afternoon, just two days before attending the event, where he posed alongside fellow openly gay sportsman Gareth Thomas

An inspiration: The 47-year-old world champion confirmed he was gay in an interview with the Guardian, which was published on Monday afternoon, just two days before attending the event, where he posed alongside fellow openly gay sportsman Gareth Thomas

Inspiring: Mark also joined John Amaechi (left), who made history as the first former NBA player to ever come out as gay when he announced his news publicly after doing so in his 2007 memoir Man in the Middle

Inspiring: Mark also joined John Amaechi (left), who made history as the first former NBA player to ever come out as gay when he announced his news publicly after doing so in his 2007 memoir Man in the Middle

Here come the boys! The group put on a giddy display, as Elton and his husband David Furnish (second left and centre) posed between basketball star John, Gareth and Mark

Here come the boys! The group put on a giddy display, as Elton and his husband David Furnish (second left and centre) posed between basketball star John, Gareth and Mark

Way back when: Former Olympic champion Rebecca, who won two gold medals in Beijing, responded to the speculation with a post on her Instagram account, which said: 'Me and mark are good friends. That is all. Trust me'

Way back when: Former Olympic champion Rebecca, who won two gold medals in Beijing, responded to the speculation with a post on her Instagram account, which said: ‘Me and mark are good friends. That is all. Trust me’

A vision: Ellie was at the forefront of the glamour as she sizzled in her slinky grey gown which boasted a structured top which cascaded off her shoulder and a slashed velvet skirt

Out and a pout: Lottie was smouldering at the event where she seemed to choose underwear as outerwear 

Out and a pout: Lottie was smouldering at the event where she seemed to choose underwear as outerwear 

Smouldering: Lottie posed up a storm with Doina Ciobanu as they both opted for risque ensembles 

Founder: Just weeks ago, a teary and emotional Elton John celebrated the 25th anniversary of his AIDS foundation with a gala in New York City, raising about $4.4 million and telling the audience that they would end the AIDS epidemic by 2030

Founder: Just weeks ago, a teary and emotional Elton John celebrated the 25th anniversary of his AIDS foundation with a gala in New York City, raising about $4.4 million and telling the audience that they would end the AIDS epidemic by 2030

He cut a handsome figure as he attended the event, where guests drank Belvedere (RED) Martinis, where he sat alongside Elton and his husband David Furnish at the dinner table. Having mentioned him in his revealing interview, Mark proudly posed with Gareth.

Mark also joined John Amaechi, who made history as the first former NBA player to ever come out as gay when he announced his news publicly in his 2007 memoir Man In The Middle.

In his candid reveal Mark said: ‘I tiptoed around the issue. I got really good at the dance of half-truths. I’ve supported the Terence Higgins Trust, Stonewall, Ben Cohen’s Stand Up to Bullying campaign. But I’ve always done it under the radar.’

Crowd pleaser: Flying the sartorial flag for the gents was Sam Smith who was belting out his hits to the aid audience

Crowd pleaser: Flying the sartorial flag for the gents was Sam Smith who was belting out his hits to the aid audience

Double trouble: Sam Smith also chatted away with model Jon Kortajarena

Double trouble: Sam Smith posed with Elton John's husband David Furnish

Double trouble: Sam Smith also chatted away with model Jon Kortajarena (L) and Elton John’s husband David Furnish

Pleasing the crowds: Yet another handsome gentleman in attendance was Graham Norton who was providing laughs for the crowd while putting on an extremely animated display on-stage

Pleasing the crowds: Yet another handsome gentleman in attendance was Graham Norton who was providing laughs for the crowd while putting on an extremely animated display on-stage

Much was made of his close relationship with swimmer Rebecca Adlington, the pair enjoying a clear chemistry when working together at the Rio Olympics last summer.

Former Olympic champion Rebecca, who won two gold medals in Beijing, responded to the speculation with a post on her Instagram account, which said: ‘Me and mark are good friends. That is all. Trust me.’

Mark is glad to be able to now address those issues head-on himself. He added in the Guardian interview: ‘There was that stuff about Becky, but she knows I’m gay and knows my other half.

‘We’re good mates and when she doesn’t want to answer anything on live television she’ll squeeze my leg and I take over. But it became a huge story. I should have said: “Don’t be daft. I’m gay.”‘

Pink to make the guests wink: Sophie Ellis Bextor sizzled in a pretty pink sequinned number paired with sky-high heels

The fash pack: Lottie, Pixie, Henry and Doina looked incredible as they preened and pouted

The fash pack: Lottie, Pixie, Henry and Doina looked incredible as they preened and pouted

Cute as a pixie: Pixie looked sensational in her sheer gown which skimmed her curves to perfection

Fans: Elton's efforts to raise awareness and fight against AIDS were lauded by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and singer Aretha Franklin, who closed the event with a collection of songs

Fans: Elton’s efforts to raise awareness and fight against AIDS were lauded by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and singer Aretha Franklin, who closed the event with a collection of songs

Guest of honour: Elton John looked in high spirits as he posed with Anne-Marie

Guest of honour: Elton John looked in high spirits as he posed Dolph Lundgren at his lavish party

Guest of honour: Elton John looked in high spirits as he posed with Anne-Marie (L) and Dolph Lundgren at his lavish party

Belting it out: The guests within the event lived it up to live music in between courses during the lavish evening

Belting it out: The guests within the event lived it up to live music in between courses during the lavish evening

Chic: She looked great

Singing sensation: Clean Bandit’s Anne-Marie dazzled in a glamorous cream gown as she performed on the night 

In conversation: Elton was spotted chatting animatedly to the singer 

In conversation: Elton was spotted chatting animatedly to the singer 

Taking to the mic: The pop princess was in her element as she serenaded the crowd 

Taking to the mic: The pop princess was in her element as she serenaded the crowd 

Touching moment: The star looked thrilled as she chatted to the TV legend 

Touching moment: The star looked thrilled as she chatted to the TV legend 

Leggy ladies! Lottie Moss (L) and Lady Kitty Spencer strolled out of the gala to head home after a fun night out 

 

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This article belongs to Daily mail

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