when doing my first olympic effort people didn't know until i outed myself one day (someone was trash-talking about gays and i'd had enough)--at the time, they were shocked and in about 30 seconds everyone knew.
that was back in 1995. i got a fair bit of grief, to my face and behind the scenes, over the ensuing years. today, because i'm so open people tease me about it sometimes, and i give it right back to them. i think it's important to "normalize" being gay by talking and joking around. it also makes it easier for folks to bring up the subject and ask questions.
these days i coach two high school teams, and parents and athletes alike know my orientation--i never get any grief. that's because i may be gay, but i'm their coach first, i care about them and wouldn't do anything inappropriate.
suppose the biggest "compliment" i got was from a team-mate this winter. we were sharing in a hotel room for a competition and he said "it's obvious you're gay but when we're (doing our sport) you're just the most tenacious fucker out there..." it surprised that straight guy that a fag could be tough competitor--many have made the mistake... ;) | 
