By Nick Butler

Thomas Hitzlsperger has expressed his support for gay rights at Sochi 2014 ©Bongarts/Getty ImagesJanuary 9 - Thomas Hitzlsperger, who yesterday became the most prominent footballer to publicly reveal his homosexuality, has expressed his support for gay rights ahead of the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In a 52-cap international career, the former Premier League player represented Germany at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 European Championships and enjoyed club spells in Italy and Germany, as well as England, before retiring from the game in 2013.

In a video message the 31-year-old became the latest high profile sportsman to admit to being homosexual, as gay rights issues continue to dog the headlines ahead of Sochi 2014.

This follows supposedly anti-gay rights measures being introduced into the Duma - the Lower House of the Russian Parliament - last year, with the international reaction including the announcement of a United States delegation for Sochi 2014 headed by three openly gay figures, former tennis player Billie Jean King, ice-hockey star Caitlin Cahow and figure skater Brian Boitano

There have been widespread protests concerning Russian gay rights laws ahead of Sochi 2014 ©AFP/Getty ImagesThere have been widespread protests concerning Russian gay rights laws ahead of Sochi 2014 ©AFP/Getty Images



Hitzlsperger has joined the chorus of opposition and welcomes his story being publicised ahead of the Games.

"The Olympic Games in Sochi are approaching and I think it needs critical voices who will speak out against the campaigns run by several Governments against homosexuals," he said.

"It's important to face up to nations that discriminate against minorities, sexual or otherwise.

"I'm fine with the fact that my story will be mentioned in relation to the Games, because the situation in Russia is something that needs to be talked about.

"I'm curious to see what will happen.

"I'm sure that some athletes will make a stand." 

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who supports Thomas Hitzlsperger's former club side Aston Villa, followed German Chancellor Angela Merkel in expressing his support ©TwitterBritish Prime Minister David Cameron, who supports Thomas Hitzlsperger's former club side Aston Villa, followed German Chancellor Angela Merkel in expressing his support ©Twitter



As well as the timing so soon before the Winter Olympics, Hitzlsperger's status also adds significance because he is the first footballer to have played in the Premier League to admit to being gay, and the most high profile anywhere in the world.

Although the German is only continuing a recent trend of athletes coming out as attention grows for gay rights within the sporting world. 

In 2012 Puerto Rican Orlando Cruz, who competed at Sydney 2000, became the first active boxer to reveal he is gay, followed by Britain's Nicola Adams, a fellow boxer and winner of the first ever women's Olympic gold medal in the sport, who is openly bisexual.

Australian Olympic diving champion Matthew Mitcham is another of the few openly gay Olympic athletes in the world.

Last year, another footballer in United States international Robbie Rogers admitted to being gay, while soon after US President Barrack Obama backed National Basketball Association (NBA) player Jason Collins after he made a similar admittance.

In December, Britain's London 2012 diving bronze medallist Tom Daley continued the trend by admitting that he was in a relationship with another man in an online message.