British Olympic Diver Chris Mears Talks LGBT Fans: 'I Want to be a Better Person'

British Olympic diver Chris Mears has been vocal in his support of LGBT rights, encouraging athletes to come out. A friend of openly gay British diver Tom Daley, Mears has garnered a large LGBT following over the years.

In a new interview with Flaunt magazine, Mears, who also produces music and is a DJ, discussed his relationship with the gay community, saying he feels "totally free in who I am."

"I like going outside my comfort zone because I want to grow," the 23-year-old athlete said when he was asked about his gay fans.

"I want to become a better person," he later added. "It was something I never explored before, even just doing a photoshoot."

Mears identifies as straight and is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend. Even so, some fans speculate about his close relationship with diving partner Jack Laugher (he competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics in the synchronized 3m springboard event with Laugher, taking home the gold - a first for Britain's diving team), New Now Next writes. Mears is also pals with "X-Men" director Bryan Singer and keeps up a very revealing Instagram profile.

"I threw myself into the deep end," Mears told Flaunt. "It opened up a lot of doors. I'm happy to be a part of that scene."

When asked about LGBT athletes, the diver said he is "absolutely all for people in sport, both men and women, being open and free in who they are because I'm totally free in who I am."

"I'd hate to feel like I couldn't be who I am. I think that would be tragic," Mears added.

Click here to read Mears' full Flaunt interview. Below, enjoy some pics from the athlete's popular Instagram.