Gay hurdler Seamus Derbyshire hopes to inspire others at World Championships
400m hurdler Seamus Derbyshire. (Alex Livesey – British Athletics/British Athletics via Getty Images)
400m hurdler Seamus Derbyshire. (Alex Livesey - British Athletics/British Athletics via Getty Images)
Gay hurdler Seamus Derbyshire is hoping to inspire others as he heads to the World Championships for the first time.
Derbyshire, who is best known for going viral on TikTok thanks to his fierce poses on the track during July’s Diamond League meet in London, opened up about his desire to be a role model for other gay athletes in an interview with BBC Sport.
The 25-year-old recalled how upon hearing his name at the start line, he emulated Glinda from Wicked tossing her hair, before sharing kisses with the camera and a love heart.
He couldn’t believe his actions had led to him going viral on TikTok.
The 400m hurdler, who said the routine was part of him being his “authentic self”, recalled: “When we [his housemate and him] woke up, I was getting so much love on it and it was something I didn’t expect. It never crossed my mind that this could be something that people would take to.”
Derbyshire admits that he has struggled with mental health, which in 2024 derailed his European and Olympic dreams and led him to reconsider his future in the sport.
But the former European Under-20s silver medallist decided to persevere, and in June he became the fifth-fastest British man over 400m hurdles, running 48.42 seconds.
The record time broke his personal best and secured his place in this month’s World Championships in Tokyo.
@bbcsport British hurdler Seamus Derbyshire is ready to bring the vibes to the track at the World Athletics Championships 🕺✨ #SeamusDerbyshire #Athletics #WorldAthleticsChamps #foryou #FYP ♬ original sound – BBC Sport
He said: “Bringing my authentic self has brought me to a point where I feel comfortable again.
“It’s really silly but this is the first year in five years where I’ve completed every race I’ve stepped on the start line to do, which is such a nice feeling and felt like such a big accomplishment.”
He now hopes to inspire future athletes from all backgrounds.
Derbyshire shared: “A lot of my gay inspiration I got through pop culture, through the music I listened to in the car with my mum, like strong female protagonists like Kylie Minogue and Gwen Stefani. I never found my source of inspiration through sport. Maybe I can be that for someone because I didn’t necessarily have that myself.
“I’ve had so many messages saying it’s so nice to see someone living the way I am. They wish they could have had someone doing that when they were younger, or parents [saying] it’s a really nice example for children.”
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
