Olympian Mark Foster Details Decades of Hiding ‘Double Life’ in New Memoir
BEIJING - AUGUST 14: Mark Foster of Great Britain finishes the Men's 50m Freestyle Heat 13 in sixth place at the National Aquatics Centre during Day 6 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 14, 2008 in Beijing, China. Mark Foster of Great Britain finished the race in a time of 22.35. Photo Credit: Mike Hewitt
by Chris Tremblay Jul 7
4 MIN READ
Five-time Olympian and former world record holder Mark Foster has opened up about the profound psychological toll of maintaining a "double life" for more than three decades . In his newly released autobiography, My Double Life, published by Bloomsbury on July 2, 2026, Foster describes the "exhausting" reality of compartmentalizing his personal identity to protect his professional standing as one of Britain’s most successful athletes . Foster, who specialized in the 50-meter freestyle and butterfly, explains that he effectively split his existence into two distinct personas: "Mark the swimmer" and the private man who kept his true self hidden from the public eye for the majority of his life .
The memoir reveals that this separation was not merely a preference for privacy but a survival mechanism rooted in the societal pressures of the 1980s and 1990s . Foster writes that from a young age, messages from the media, school playgrounds, and sports changing rooms reinforced a belief that his sexuality was something to be suppressed . He states that he eventually convinced himself he could not be the person he felt he was because of these external cues, leading his "little secret" to grow into a monumental weight that governed his daily interactions for years .
One of the most striking revelations in the book is the extent to which Foster went to maintain his heteronormative public image . During his peak competitive years, Foster publicly dated a woman named Catherine, who is identified in the memoir as a close friend who acted as a "beard" to deflect speculation about his sexuality . This strategic "half-truth" allowed him to navigate high-profile social events and media scrutiny without facing the potential repercussions of coming out as a gay man in a sporting environment that he perceived as unready for such authenticity .
Foster admits that he became exceptionally skilled at lying and omitting facts to keep his professional and domestic lives from ever meeting . While he was open about his sexuality with his family and a tight-knit circle of friends from his 20s and 30s, he remained determined to prevent this information from leaking to the wider world . He recalls that even his retirement from active competition in 2008 and his subsequent transition into high-profile television punditry did not initially offer him the sense of security needed to go public .
The "double life" Foster describes played out against the backdrop of one of the most distinguished careers in British aquatics history . Throughout his tenure as a professional swimmer, Foster set eight world records and secured six world championship titles . He represented Team GB at five Olympic Games—1988, 1992, 1996, 2004, and 2008—and was chosen as the flag bearer for the British delegation during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Games .
Despite his immense success, Foster reflects on the "loneliness" that accompanied his achievements, noting that he could never fully celebrate his victories as his whole self . The pressure to maintain a specific image was further complicated by tabloid interest; at one point, media speculation falsely suggested a romantic link between Foster and fellow Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington during the London 2012 Games, a narrative Foster let persist because it aligned with his public heterosexual persona .
Foster finally decided to share his sexuality with the public in November 2017 at the age of 47 . He attributes his "moment of clarity" to the Attitude Awards in October of that year, where he presented an award to out Olympic legend Greg Louganis . Seeing other athletes live authentically inspired him to break his silence and integrate his two separate lives into one cohesive identity .
Since coming out, the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant has noted that the reaction from the public and the sporting community has been overwhelmingly positive . He has used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, supporting organizations such as Stonewall and the Terrence Higgins Trust . Through the Mark Foster Swimming Academy, he also works to inspire the next generation of swimmers, emphasizing the importance of compassion, equality, and inclusion in the pool .
Today, Foster is in a committed relationship with his partner, Craig McKay, and the couple has been pictured together at various public events . His transition from a closeted competitor to an out and proud pundit has allowed him to participate in major sporting milestones with a new sense of freedom . Most recently, Foster served as a commentator for the BBC during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, providing expert analysis alongside Clare Balding and Rebecca Adlington .
In addition to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, Foster remains active in other charitable causes. He recently lent his support to the Mirror’s "Save Lives for Sam" water safety campaign . During this campaign, he shared a personal story about a childhood near-drowning incident in Southend-on-Sea, which he also touches upon in My Double Life to highlight the importance of water safety education .
The release of My Double Life serves as a poignant reminder of the barriers that many LGBTQ+ athletes have faced and continue to encounter in professional sports . Foster reflects on the lack of visible role models during his youth and expresses hope that his story will help others avoid the decades of secrecy he endured . By detailing the mechanics of his former "double life," Foster provides a high-fidelity look at the necessity of creating sporting environments where transgender people and individuals of all LGBTQ+ identities can compete and live authentically from the start of their careers .
Foster’s autobiography is more than a recap of swimming medals; it is an exploration of the freedom found in being oneself after a lifetime of concealment . As he continues his work as a commentator, academy founder, and community advocate, Foster remains a prominent figure in the ongoing journey toward full equality in global sport .
Constructing the Public Persona
One of the most striking revelations in the book is the extent to which Foster went to maintain his heteronormative public image . During his peak competitive years, Foster publicly dated a woman named Catherine, who is identified in the memoir as a close friend who acted as a "beard" to deflect speculation about his sexuality . This strategic "half-truth" allowed him to navigate high-profile social events and media scrutiny without facing the potential repercussions of coming out as a gay man in a sporting environment that he perceived as unready for such authenticity .
Foster admits that he became exceptionally skilled at lying and omitting facts to keep his professional and domestic lives from ever meeting . While he was open about his sexuality with his family and a tight-knit circle of friends from his 20s and 30s, he remained determined to prevent this information from leaking to the wider world . He recalls that even his retirement from active competition in 2008 and his subsequent transition into high-profile television punditry did not initially offer him the sense of security needed to go public .
A Decorated Career Under Pressure
The "double life" Foster describes played out against the backdrop of one of the most distinguished careers in British aquatics history . Throughout his tenure as a professional swimmer, Foster set eight world records and secured six world championship titles . He represented Team GB at five Olympic Games—1988, 1992, 1996, 2004, and 2008—and was chosen as the flag bearer for the British delegation during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Games .
Despite his immense success, Foster reflects on the "loneliness" that accompanied his achievements, noting that he could never fully celebrate his victories as his whole self . The pressure to maintain a specific image was further complicated by tabloid interest; at one point, media speculation falsely suggested a romantic link between Foster and fellow Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington during the London 2012 Games, a narrative Foster let persist because it aligned with his public heterosexual persona .
The Path to Public Authenticity
Foster finally decided to share his sexuality with the public in November 2017 at the age of 47 . He attributes his "moment of clarity" to the Attitude Awards in October of that year, where he presented an award to out Olympic legend Greg Louganis . Seeing other athletes live authentically inspired him to break his silence and integrate his two separate lives into one cohesive identity .
Since coming out, the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant has noted that the reaction from the public and the sporting community has been overwhelmingly positive . He has used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, supporting organizations such as Stonewall and the Terrence Higgins Trust . Through the Mark Foster Swimming Academy, he also works to inspire the next generation of swimmers, emphasizing the importance of compassion, equality, and inclusion in the pool .
Current Life and Ongoing Contributions
Today, Foster is in a committed relationship with his partner, Craig McKay, and the couple has been pictured together at various public events . His transition from a closeted competitor to an out and proud pundit has allowed him to participate in major sporting milestones with a new sense of freedom . Most recently, Foster served as a commentator for the BBC during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, providing expert analysis alongside Clare Balding and Rebecca Adlington .
In addition to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, Foster remains active in other charitable causes. He recently lent his support to the Mirror’s "Save Lives for Sam" water safety campaign . During this campaign, he shared a personal story about a childhood near-drowning incident in Southend-on-Sea, which he also touches upon in My Double Life to highlight the importance of water safety education .
Legacy and Impact
The release of My Double Life serves as a poignant reminder of the barriers that many LGBTQ+ athletes have faced and continue to encounter in professional sports . Foster reflects on the lack of visible role models during his youth and expresses hope that his story will help others avoid the decades of secrecy he endured . By detailing the mechanics of his former "double life," Foster provides a high-fidelity look at the necessity of creating sporting environments where transgender people and individuals of all LGBTQ+ identities can compete and live authentically from the start of their careers .
Foster’s autobiography is more than a recap of swimming medals; it is an exploration of the freedom found in being oneself after a lifetime of concealment . As he continues his work as a commentator, academy founder, and community advocate, Foster remains a prominent figure in the ongoing journey toward full equality in global sport .
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