Kenyon Smith, Synchronized Swimming, and the Olympics

I love hearing about someone defying stereotypes, and this is why I appreciate this story about Kenyon Smith, a straight, male, synchronized swimmer.

Continuing to enjoy his sport amidst homophobic taunts from fellow straight guys, as well as the probable "I'm sure he's gay, he just doesn't know it!" kinds of comments emanating from gay men who themselves succumb to the evils of stereotyping, Kenyon finished second in the solo competition at the 2007 US national synchronized swimming championships.

Unfortunately, for Kenyon, he can't represent the United States at the Olympics as a synchronized swimmer because the highest levels of the sport are closed to males. Ouch. This is due to at least a couple of things. Some say it's unfair for men to compete against women at the Olympic games, and apparently there aren’t enough male synchronized swimmers in the world for there to be an event just for men.

It's a real pity that Kenyon was allowed to compete at the national level but then had his bubble burst when it came to the Olympics.

Sometimes that's what happens when you go against the grain. But sometimes, you have to keep on going because you just can't help but go against the grain. Right? Right.

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