Polish Ski Jumper Andrzej Stękała Comes Out as Gay in Emotional Tribute

The 29-year-old athlete shared his story after the loss of his partner, revealing years of secrecy and his decision to embrace his true self.

Andrzej Stękała, a Polish ski jumper and World Championship medalist, publicly came out as gay in a heartfelt social media post on January 1, 2025.
He shared that his decision to come out was inspired by the recent death of his partner of eight years, who passed away in November 2024.
In his message, Stękała described living in fear and hiding his identity for years, worried it could jeopardize his career and personal life.
The athlete expressed his commitment to starting a 'new chapter' and living openly, honoring the love and support he shared with his late partner.
Stękała’s announcement received widespread support from fans, teammates, and the skiing community, highlighting the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face in conservative societies like Poland.