AUSTRALIAN Simon Dunn, the first openly gay man to represent any country in the sport, has died suddenly aged 35.
The late star’s agent, Ruby Rose management, and the police have confirmed the shock news this morning.
A statement from New South Wales cops read: “About 10 am on Saturday, January 21, 2023, police were called to a unit on Crown Street, Surry Hills, after reports the body of a man had been found inside.
“The body is believed to be that of the 35-year-old occupant.
“Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding his death, which is not being treated as suspicious.”
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A statement from his agents said: “Simon was passionate about giving back to the community and volunteering, he gave his time and [used] his profile to help multiple charities.
It also explained how he “was loved, adored and respected within our community worldwide”.
The much-loved Dunn was an ambassador for HIV support charity The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.
They described him as a “selfless, compassionate and kind individual who treated everyone equally, stood up for marginalised and vulnerable people and called out injustice”.
The group’s statement added: “He was a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation in sport, speaking about his experiences of homophobia in his younger years.
“He was determined to make a positive change in sporting culture throughout the world and his tireless efforts to promote inclusion and equality in sport will continue to inspire future generations.”
Dunn became famous for his success in bobsleigh and also played with Sydney’s gay and inclusive rugby union club, the Sydney Convicts, for over a decade.
Dunn represented Australia in the national bobsleigh team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Back in 2015, he was voted the “world’s hottest man” by Attitude magazine and he has since written numerous columns for various LGBTQIA+ publications around the world.
Dunn, who was born in Goulburn, played rugby league while growing up but he said previously: “When I first came out, I tried to fit into the ‘normal’ gay image: I gave up sport.”
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That led to him moving to Calgary in Canada to pursue his bobsleigh dream.
He eventually returned home to Sydney and joined the Convicts.
Dunn explained previously: “It wasn’t until I started playing for the Convicts and found a group of guys with similar interests that I was truly happy with myself.”
“So speak up. If you suffer in silence, the only person that suffers is you.”
