Simon Dunn, the former Australian bobsledder and rugby player who became the first openly gay athlete to represent his country in the sport, died at the age of 35 on January 21, 2023. His death shocked and saddened many people who admired him for his achievements and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights. But what was the cause of his death and how did it happen? Here is what we know so far.
A Mysterious Death
According to NSW Police, Dunn’s body was found in his Sydney apartment on Saturday morning, and there is no indication that the circumstances are suspicious1. His management company, Ruby Rose Management, confirmed his death in a press release and said that he was “a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation in sport, speaking about his experiences of homophobia in his younger years”.
However, some reports have suggested that Dunn’s death cause was suicide, based on his social media posts and personal struggles. In November 2022, Dunn revealed that he had suffered a bicep injury that dashed his hopes of competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He also said that he had been diagnosed with adjustment disorder and was seeing a psychologist.
Dunn also broke up with his former partner, Eli Crawford, in October 2022. He wrote on Instagram that “it takes true love to know when to let someone go live their best lives, which we have decided to do”. Crawford paid tribute to Dunn after his death and said that he had “not only lost my first love but a very special life long friend”
A Trailblazer and an Inspiration
Dunn was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, and grew up playing rugby. He faced homophobia and bullying as a young man and decided to quit the sport for a while. He moved to Canada in 2014 and resumed playing rugby there. He was also scouted by the Australian bobsleigh team and became the first openly gay bobsledder to represent his country.
Dunn competed in several bobsleigh competitions across North America but failed to qualify for the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. He retired from the sport in 2016 and returned to Australia, where he joined the Sydney Convicts, a gay and inclusive rugby team. He celebrated his 10th anniversary with the club in January 2023
Dunn was also a vocal supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights and spoke publicly about the challenges faced by queer athletes. He advocated for greater inclusion and diversity in sports and encouraged others to be proud of their identity. He was featured in several magazines and campaigns, such as Attitude, DNA, Gay Times, Stand Up Events, and Beyond Blue.
Dunn’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief and condolences from his fans, friends, family, and fellow athletes. Many have praised him for his courage, kindness, generosity, and talent. He is remembered as a pioneer, a role model, and a hero for the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond.
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