Community mourns the loss of the first gay bobsleigh athlete

Simon Dunn, the first openly gay man to represent a country in bobsleigh, is remembered as a kind and generous athlete and community leader after his death at the age of 35.

The sports star was known for his success in bobsleigh and played for Sydney’s gay and inclusive rugby union club, the Sydney Convicts, for more than 10 years.

His death was confirmed by agents Ruby Rose Management and NSW Police, who said his body was discovered at his unit in Crown Street, Surry Hills, in central Sydney.

“The body is believed to be that of the 35-year-old inmate,” a police spokesman said in a statement. “Officials from Surry Hills Police Area Command have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, which are not being ruled suspicious.”

Dunn’s agents said the athlete was “loved, revered and respected in our global community.”

“Simon was passionate about giving back to the community and volunteering, he gave his time and [used] his profile to help several charities,” the statement said.

The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, an HIV charity for which Dunn was an ambassador, described him as “a selfless, compassionate and kind person who treated everyone equally, stood up for the marginalized and vulnerable and called out injustice”.

“He was a passionate supporter of LGBTQIA+ representation in sport and spoke about his experiences with homophobia at a young age,” the group’s statement said. “He was determined to positively change sports culture around the world and his tireless efforts to promote inclusion and equality in sport will continue to inspire generations to come.”