Much of the country has faced cold wintry conditions over the last week.  But there was one story that really stood out in sport – rugby player Gareth Thomas, a major sportsman, "came out".

Why is the notion of a gay sportsman so surprising? It’s almost 2010 – this should be no big deal, surely?

Over the years there have been major advances for gays and lesbians in society, and nowhere is that more prevalent than in the areas of jobs.

A competitive jobs market works both ways, and prospective employers have had to look for ways to differentiate themselves. Many modern companies and other organisations are already getting recognition for their diversity work that they then use in their recruitment as powerful statements.

In sport, there has been a mixed picture.

As an out gay man in London 2012, I'm very proud of what my organisation is now doing. As the Organising Committee of the Games we will now double in size each year, so new colleagues and new teams start work all the time, all from diverse backgrounds and bringing different life experiences and talents to the table. I helped out at a gay recruitment evening a few months ago, where LOCOG set out its stall. A strong Diversity Board has been set up to devise our best-in-class approach, and a Head of Diversity and Inclusion makes sure that it's implemented.

The proof this works is on Monday morning, making my coffee when colleagues often ask how my weekend was, how my boyfriend is, and what we spent the weekend doing - just as others are asked about their spouses and families.

Clearly Gareth Thomas (pictured) did not enjoy the same situation, and neither do other sports men and women still in the closet.

It's even worse for thousands of children and young people across the country still facing prejudice and bullying at school.

So when Gareth came out as gay last weekend, he was courageous. But, in his own words, "until somebody breaks that category [stereotype], then sport and life in general can't really evolve".

The important thing for me is that he's not alone. Donal Og Cusack, an Irish hurling player, came out earlier this year. Matthew Mitcham, the Australian diver, did the same before the Beijing Games in 2008 and Nigel Owens, a rugby referee, juts before that. John Amaechi came out as the first "out" NBA basketball player, and he now sits on LOCOG's Diversity Board.

Each of these has their own inspiring story, as any web-search will show. They follow Australian rugby star Ian Roberts and Olympic diver Greg Louganis, who came out in 1995 and the trail blazed by Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova in tennis. Later, Billie Jean would be the first openly gay coach of an Olympic team and Martina would compete at the 2004 Athens Games.

Gareth said "to try and make change is a difficult thing", but that's exactly what the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games can do. Our vision is as bold as it is simple - to use the power of the Games to inspire change.

Pride Sports, LGBT sports clubs and sportspeople at both grass-roots and elite level know how rewarding sport can be in an environment where diversity is celebrated so they can focus on performance and enjoyment.

This will be crucial for all our athletes in 2012, and when LOCOG dissolves after the Games I hope we contribute to a legacy of greater inclusion in sport.

Only this week, LOCOG was the first winner of the 'Gold Standard' from Diversity Works for London, and we are the fastest organisation in the UK to achieve the Equality Standard for Sport.

I'm just one man, but I'm one from many openly gay men and women helping to stage the Games. As the team gets bigger, and as we recruit thousands of volunteers for the Games themselves, the friendly diverse face of London 2012 will become clearer.

By 2012 I hope that the barriers facing people like Gareth Thomas will seem that bit more surmountable.

Craig Beaumont is the manager of the London 2012 Government Relations team. He was formerly the Public Affairs Manager for Visit London. This article first appeared on the London 2012 website.