"Oliver, the 2008 Olympic bronze medal winner, looked unstoppable. A former football player at Howard University, Oliver stands 6 feet 2, weighs 205 pounds and has shoulders broad enough to play linebacker. When he’s barreling down the track, it appears more likely he will bust through a hurdle than fall over one" - The Washington Post.
Last week, David Oliver became a U.S. Champion for the fourth time in the 110 meter hurdles at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He is the current American record holder in that category. The 27 yr. old thigh crushing athlete is considered among the top three hurdlers of all time with a personal best of 12.89 seconds. As usual, Oliver dashed through the games and effortlessly broke the speed limit just like the champ that he is! But as for me, you don't know how weak I am about now. Somebody call the paramedics!
Consider the following photos from the David Oliver Archives:
Outrageous thighs! Dazzling smile! And funky armpits? H E L P Lawd!
TOO LATE ....... FLATLINES! JUST CALL THE UNDERTAKER!
(The first five photos originally appeared on Rod McCullom's blog, Rod 2.0.)
AWESOME ATHLETE!
Posted by: thegaytekeeper | June 30, 2011 at 01:49 PM
I wonder if such stunningly beautiful men such as he are aware that there are loads of men who find them intriguing not just for their athletic prowess but for their perceived sexual prowess as well? And that these men brazen out this attraction in public forums. I wonder how it makes them feel? I wonder if some of them expect such praise as a matter of course.
I wish more men, especially Black men would liberate themselves to the point where its just OK to express to another Black man how beautiful he is.
Posted by: Greg | June 30, 2011 at 07:09 PM
@Greg! I think the answer to all of your questions is a resounding YES; they know! Personally, I could care less what level their sexual prowess or libido rises to. I just think David Oliver is a beautiful brotha. Period! As for black folks liberating their minds - especially heterosexual black men - well, isn't that oxymoronic!?
Posted by: Corey | June 30, 2011 at 08:21 PM
No, give it some thought, I don't think its oxymoronic at all! And I posed those questions because i once knew a semi-pro boxer, back in the 90's. Just as beautiful as this track star and he told me it was really uncomfortable for him that other men & gay men found him attractive because he felt he would be 'guilty by association.' So he was disturbed by other men's praise of his beauty. He confided in me once that while on a subway platform one night a man 'approached' him and it angered him because he felt that perhaps he "had that look."
Sports has always been and still is the domain of the heterosexual male (though of late that is starting to erode slowly). And I feel that straight men feel the loss of that exclusive little club when we start to infiltrate it. Thats part of the reason why I wonder about these things. For me, I'm elevated when another Black man tells me I'm attractive. It gives me a charge and strangely, its at that moment when I feel my most masculine self. I'm a self avowed gym rat and have a muscular physique. I see other dudes looking at me while I go about my routine and I know whats behind the stares. There are the 'dudes' who admire my technique in doing squats, etc. Then there are the 'boys' who admire & perhaps fantasize about my physique. Its kool with me because, truth be told thats the reason I work out, nothing to do with health just vanity. And I love it. But then again, I'm as gay as the day is long! LOL So the dudes staring at me for whatever reason is just cool. But I think if I were a pro athelete and hetero the stares from the 'boys' would be disconcerting 'cause then I'm thinking; "OMG what is everybody else making of this?" and, "Do I look like I'm ...."
For females its ok to be a gay icon. But for men, especially Black men. I don't know. Even if you get praise equally from both groups, there are those in the media who will question, just because you are getting that attention.
Posted by: Greg | June 30, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Greg, I don’t think the situation you are describing—where heterosexual men are averse to being admired by gay men—is a necessary part of being heterosexual. I believe it’s an American thing. I have heard tell of other societies where straight men take pleasure in being admired by—and even flirting with—gay men.
Many straight American men are hysterically frightened that someone somewhere sometime might think they might be gay. They had to be taught this fear, though. It doesn’t just come with being straight.
Posted by: Jim | July 01, 2011 at 04:13 AM
Best. Post. Ever. :)
Posted by: April | July 01, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Just a quick sidenote to dovetail on the above regarding expressions of attraction - I would agree that there is something to this discomfort that is uniquely western, if not American. Michaelangelo's David is probably the most well-known example of admiration of the male figure and form made by another male. Had this been done today and in America I wonder if there would be backlash, religious opposition and media coverage, etc. As for David Oliver, he is truly a beautiful and gifted athlete who has made many noteworthy accomplishments on the track. His orientation is a non-issue since (aside from role modeling for gay youth) it has no bearing on his athletic performance.
Posted by: harvey | July 01, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Oh, and just another interesting anecdote: while serving in the gulf war stationed in Saudi, it wasn't uncommon to see men walking the streets holding hands. This was not a sexual expression but one of friendship and companionship (especially considering that in the middle eastern fundamental muslim world men and women are forbidden from showing physical expressions of attraction, love, etc, publicly). While admittedly this is not the same thing as admiring another man for their looks, it does speak to western discomfort with men showing affection with each other, whether it being kissing on the cheek or, in this case, walking hand in hand or arm in arm.
Posted by: harvey | July 01, 2011 at 11:42 AM
I want the opportunity to look another Black man in the eye and tell him how beautiful he is, without hesitance, without fear and without regret!
Posted by: Greg | July 02, 2011 at 10:55 AM
He is the most beautiful man in the world!!!
Posted by: Toddy English | July 02, 2011 at 06:39 PM