[Denver]

A BRITISH sports star is set to publicly announce they are HIV positive.

The international intends to break the news on social media to fight the stigma of living with the virus, which can cause AIDS.

The brave personality — worshipped by millions of fans — is timing the announcement just before a sports event next month in which they are competing.

The aim is to show you can live a healthy lifestyle with HIV, which can be treated with anti-retroviral therapy.

A source said: “The star has given this a lot of thought and plans to make the announcement on Twitter. It will cause a sensation but they are prepared for that.

"It is courageous, given attitudes in sport aren’t always the most enlightened. But it will prompt an outpouring of support and praise.”

The sports star will follow in the footsteps of US basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, 59, who announced he was HIV positive in 1991. He takes a daily cocktail of drugs to prevent his HIV progressing to AIDS.

British figure skater John Curry, who won gold at the 1976 Winter Olympics, announced he was HIV positive in 1987. He died of an AIDS-related heart attack aged 44 in 1994.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/96484...-announcement/

[thesheriff443]

20 years ago it would be a big deal, Freddie Mercury dying of aids bought aids to the world stage.

Aids is no longer a death sentence.

[Wizard.]

Is it not going to be a hoax though?

There was a 'gay footballer' twitter account saying he was going to 'come out' then deleted his Twitter. Why would anyone pre-empt an announcement and not just come out? It seems like an attention seeking hoax which intentionally or unintentionally is damaging to stigma surround HIV.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Wizard.

Is it not going to be a hoax though?

There was a 'gay footballer' twitter account saying he was going to 'come out' then deleted his Twitter. Why would anyone pre-empt an announcement and not just come out? It seems like an attention seeking hoax which intentionally or unintentionally is damaging to stigma surround HIV.

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread

[bitontheslide]

i have no idea why an anonymous person would make an announcement that they were going to make an announcement on a topic that lost it's stigma decades ago.

We had the same with Charlie Sheen, and no-one blinked

[Liam-]

I’m not really sure I believe it, especially after that whole ‘gay footballer thing’ but if it’s true then I hope they don’t receive any backlash

[Liam-]

If the person wasn’t described as ‘well loved’ id have suspected Rooney, that bloke would shag a phonebox if he could

[LeatherTrumpet]

Who is it?

[Alf]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Who is it?

My guess is Tom Daley.

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by Alf

My guess is Tom Daley.

My thought is it will be someone older...Don't know why just a hunch, if it is actually true and not a hoax.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

My thought is it will be someone older...Don't know why just a hunch, if it is actually true and not a hoax.

The "teaser" (? It is a bit weird) seems to suggest that it's an active sportsperson seeking to show that people with HIV can still be strong and healthy, so I can't imagine it being anyone much over 40,or even younger, depending on the sport?

[Toy Soldier]

Holy **** 80% of this thread just vanished before my eyes

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Alf

My guess is Tom Daley.

I wonder why...

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I wonder why...

Well loved Sportsman, still competing.

And yes, he doesn't have to be gay, but history tells us it's more likely. I'm not taking the blame for history hurting your feelings.

It's just an educated guess.

[Twosugars]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Holy **** 80% of this thread just vanished before my eyes

I'm here if you need comforting



And I hope it is not Tom Daley

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The "teaser" (? It is a bit weird) seems to suggest that it's an active sportsperson seeking to show that people with HIV can still be strong and healthy, so I can't imagine it being anyone much over 40,or even younger, depending on the sport?

Yeah you have a point there....I guess I didn't think it through. Well I guess we will find out in the fullness of time

[bitontheslide]

does no-one else think it a bit odd that the person is encouraging the public to speculate on who it might be, potentially revealing someone who doesn't want the information made public?

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

does no-one else think it a bit odd that the person is encouraging the public to speculate on who it might be, potentially revealing someone who doesn't want the information made public?

I think it probably does encourage rumours to spread. I can't really figure out the point of revealing an "intention to do something" rather than just making a full press release?

[Twosugars]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

does no-one else think it a bit odd that the person is encouraging the public to speculate on who it might be, potentially revealing someone who doesn't want the information made public?

I think it's the sun milking it
Also hate to sound jaded but theres a chance the sun got the story first and then gave the star an ultimatum: do the story with us or we will do it without you.

I believe that's what they did with Stephen Gately.

[Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Alf

My guess is Tom Daley.

He isn’t competing in September.

[Denver]

Why does it have to be a gay man or a man at all? for all you know it could be a female

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Mitchell

He isn’t competing in September.

Well then the chances of my guess being right decreases.

[Ant.]

Although I know HIV/AIDS medication has gotten a lot better and there certainly is less of a stigma, I do think there's probably still some people passing judgement/aren't as educated as others. Kudos on them for being so open about it (if they do do it, that is)

Originally Posted by Liam-

If the person wasn’t described as ‘well loved’ id have suspected Rooney, that bloke would shag a phonebox if he could

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Holy **** 80% of this thread just vanished before my eyes

You've made me curious....

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by WickedSkengMan

Why does it have to be a gay man or a man at all? for all you know it could be a female

i think people just think its more likely and i can understand that

it may not be of course

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I wonder why...

This.

and people say there's no stigma.