Michael Gunning
Changing lanes
After treading water during lockdown, swimming star Michael Gunning reflects on missing out on the Olympics, what postpool life might look like – he’ll finally be able to date! – and his ongoing efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in sport
Words Thomas Stichbury
Michael wears necklaces, by Pawnshop
Photography Dean Ryan McDaid Fashion Joseph Kocharian
Michael wears trunks, by Speedo
Professional swimmer, and pal of Attitude, Michael Gunning recently helped us make a real splash with our Pride at Home celebrations, by doing a sweet reading from Call Me by Your Name. André Aciman’s tasty tome famously features a, um, messy moment involving a peach – and it’d be foolish not to find out what Michael’s preferred fruit is.
“I’m going to say… mango,” he chuckles. (Wise choice: soft and moist.) “I really do love that book; I love happy endings and it doesn’t have that, but there are so many parts to take from the book that are inspiring.” I beg to differ, Michael, there is most definitely a happy ending, just not the kind we were necessarily expecting.
Diving in as the cover star of our August Body issue, Michael provided the perfect canvas for his body paint-sprayed photo shoot; just wish we’d put down some dust sheets, the studio is a right mess!
The 27-year-old is impossibly upbeat and has a gold medal-worthy smile but admits that he wavered somewhat during the various lockdowns, when he was unable to race and compete: “I had three months out of the water, which for any swimmer is unheard of.”
And just before the magazine was going to print, Michael — who has dual British- Jamaican citizenship — received the gutpunching blow that he hadn’t secured a spot as part of Team Jamaica at the COVID-postponed Tokyo Olympics, due to take place at the end of the month (July).
“If I’m being completely honest, I feel heartbroken and I know it will take some time for me to fully comprehend the disappointment of not making the team. Since I was a little boy, I’ve always dreamed of competing at the Olympic Games, and to fall short on the last hurdle is extremely tough to handle,” he confides.
“I wish I got a chance to race the rest of the world this summer, but the harsh reality of sport has hit home and made me realise I can’t ever take anything for granted. Swimming has given me so much along this incredible journey.”
Well, we still think you’re top trunks…
Brushing aside his dashed dreams, and turning his frown upside-down, Michael plunges into how he is using his platform as an openly gay athlete to champion diversity and inclusion in sport; being taken under the wing of Tom Daley; his experiences of homophobia and racism; and why his dating life is dead in the water.
Michael wears trunks, by Speedo
The last time we spoke was in 2019, when you won an Attitude Pride Award. A lot has happened since then. How have you been dealing with the various lockdowns?