A professional ski jumper has come out as gay after the death of his partner

Polish ski jumper Andrzej Stenkala came out gay after the death of his longtime partner, Damian.

Stekala, 29, is a member of the Polish national team and a bronze medalist at the 2020 Ski Flying World Championships. – shared a slideshow with photos and videos via Instagram from the length of their relationship along with his heartfelt message.

“I want you all to know the real me. I’m gay,” Stekala wrote on Wednesday, January 1. “For years I hid it from the world—from you, from the media, and sometimes even from myself.”

He continued: “In 2016, I met a man who changed my life. He was my pillar, my support, my big supporter. Together we shared life, passions, 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.”

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Stękała revealed that Damian 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 fallen to pieces. Every day without him is a struggle, but also a reminder of how much I loved and how much I was loved.”

With the reversal of the calendar, Stekala promised to introduce a “new chapter”.

“I don’t want to hide who I am anymore,” he shared. “I myself am a person who loved and loves. And I know he would want me to continue living at peace with myself.”

Stekala added: “Please understand and respect. My story is a story of love that deserves light, not shadow.”

The athlete credited his support system of “family and friends” for giving him the “courage to open up”.

The message concluded: “For the rest of my days I will carry his name in my heart.”

Many of Stekala’s friends and members of the skiing community left their comments in support of his post.

“Stay strong Andrzej💪, it hurts to read about your loss🥀”, Norwegian world champion Halvor Egner Granerud wrote. “I hope your brave 2025 will be a good year for you, filled with the freedom to not hide who you are. All the best wishes 💐.”

Sondre RingenNorwegian ski jumper, wrote: “You are brave and strong Andrzej ❤️ Wishing you the best amidst this tragic loss💔.”

“A beautiful, albeit heartbreaking story about simple love,” journalist Krzysztof Jankowski Jankes commented. “Thank you for opening up to us.”