As the world turns its eyes to Sochi, Russia, next month for the 2014 Winter Olympics, CNN is set to air a unique documentary highlighting the everyday struggle of gay athletes. The one-hour original feature, titled World Sport Presents: Journey of the Gay Athlete, will explore homosexuality and homophobia in the world's leading sporting federations.
For the documentary, CNN was granted exclusive access to prominent out athletes, including American professional soccer player Robbie Rogers, New Zealand speed skater and 2010 Olympic alumnus Blake Skjellerup, and WNBA star Brittney Griner, giving each athlete the opportunity recall their fight against homophobia in thier respective sport. The pros share their personal stories of overcoming prejudice as young adults, and then each touch on their ongoing dreams and fears as they continue to compete at the highest level.
In the film, Rogers recounts being senstive to the words "fag" and "homo" growing up, and opens up about the damage he felt was caused by him not feeling comfortable talking to anybody about his "being different." Griner also speaks candidly about her own struggles, even about being asked at a young age if she was a boy or a girl.
Journey of the Gay Athlete will air Saturday on CNN International at 10 p.m. Pacific.
