The Olympics are upon us again, and Shaun Connor is sailing for Australia. He’s fit, charismatic and good-looking with a wicked sense of humour!
Congratulations on being selected to represent Australia at the 2024 Olympics. How does that feel?
Shaun Connor: It’s pretty good! It’s a funny one because I’m probably more relieved than anything. So much time and energy has gone into this over the years, planning for the best-case scenario. But when you finally get the nod that you’re in, it’s like “Okay, let’s play on!”
Shaun Connor (Right) and Jim Colley
Just being selected is a win because technically you are now an Olympian.
Exactly. It’s been a long-time goal of mine and now when I sit back and reflect, I think “You’ll be an Olympian!” That’s very cool.
You’ll compete in the Australian men’s skiff crew with teammate Jim Colley. Can you explain a bit about that for non-sailing people?
It’s basically two people hanging from a trapeze wire, off the boat together with the task of sailing the boat. Both Jim and I have our roles and responsibilities. Jim steers the boat and makes many of the primary decisions on where we go and what we do, while I essentially do the sail control in terms of our power and speed.
“I’ve probably been to a gay club and didn’t know it.”
This is your first Olympic Games. What are your expectations of it all?
We’d love to achieve a medal, but we know we have a lot of work ahead of us. We’re still quite young too and we’re realistic about that. The fleet of our division is highly competitive, but we’ve come quite close in the past and had the opportunity to stand at the podium once or twice. Given the day and the performance we can put down, I believe we can get quite close to achieving the medal. That would be awesome!
Olympian Shaun Connor
Will you attend the opening ceremony?
I don’t think so because the Olympics men’s skiff is one of the very first events to take place. We begin earlier on and finish early as well, but I do plan on going to the Closing Ceremony. Last year I spent about seven weeks in Marseilles where the sailing takes place and got to know the area. We did a test event there, which is like a mock Olympics. It’s a similar competition where we get to familiarise ourselves.
You’re currently staying in Barcelona. Have you bumped into our other Straight Mate Vance Joy, who now lives there?
(Laughing) Funny enough, the last time I was here I stayed with my mate Jason Waterhouse, who I know has also done this interview. He was going out to lunch and when I asked who with, he said Vance Joy! That’s pretty random! Two Aussies in Barcelona catching up.
So, Jason now lives in Barcelona?
Yes, the America’s Cup is going to take place here later in the year and Jason’s working with the Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Swiss team). I get to stay in his spare bed!
“I know of some gay competitors in the sport in different countries, but not that well.”
Are there any Olympians or sportspeople who inspire you?
There’s a collective of sailors who compete in the America’s Cup like Jason and Tom Slingsby. All those guys are the gurus in the sport of sailing. They certainly inspire me, and I recently met the Australian middle-distance runner Olli Hoare, who inspires me. I’m looking forward to meeting so many people face-to-face at the Olympics. For me and other competitors in sailing, we tend to stay in our own lane focusing on our own sport and performance, but once we’re in an environment like the Olympics where we meet everyone, it’s extremely cool.
Shaun Connor and Jim Colley in action
Over the years a few Olympians have come out, such as Ian Thorpe, Matthew Mitcham, Tom Daley and Edward Gal. Do you think we’ve reached a point where it’s become a non-issue?
Oh, for sure, and in my mind it’s a non-issue too. I know of some gay competitors in the sport in different countries, but not that well. It’s something that doesn’t come to my attention, but to be honest I also don’t have any gay mates or family members.
No gay mates?
(Laughing) I don’t have any mates!
So, you’ve never been to a gay club?
I’ve probably been to a gay club and didn’t know it. If I cast my memory back, I remember going to a club in Brisbane on New Year’s Eve. A group of us walked in and ended up dancing and having a great time. I found out afterwards that it was a lesbian club. So here was a bunch of straight guys dancing around, then midnight strikes, and they were trying to pick up girls. But suddenly the girls started kissing each other. I thought, “Woah! Okay, this is exciting!” One of my mates wanted in on the action, which was poorly received! It was at that point we all came to a realisation!
Vance Joy told us he lives in an area full of gay bars. Maybe you, James and he can all go out clubbing there?
(Laughing) Hell yeah!
“We’ve been sailing since we were juniors, and now we have a brotherhood.”
What’s your irresistible burn-the-floor song?
Anything dance numbers from the early-2000’s dance number. I love Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne. I also love I Like It by Enrique Iglesias which features Pitbull. He has a lot of great tunes
Shaun Connor and Jim Colley
Who is your music diva?
Dua Lipa, one hundred per cent! She’s a goddess. I love One Kiss. What a cracker. I love putting on a Spotify Dua Lipa mix.
Who’s your celebrity man crush?
I’ll pick a Hemsworth, maybe Chris. He’s an Aussie with a good outlook on everything. He’s fit and has it all going on at Byron Bay!
Before competing what do you do to counter nerves and get in ‘the zone’?
I do get a little nervous, but I reinforce in my mind why I’m doing this. I do it because I enjoy sailing so much. So, I may as well enjoy the experience along with my teammates. When I’m on my own I’ll listen to music, but I’m quite a talkative person and when dealing with nerves I’ll chat to people. I’ll have a bit of a joke too. It all keeps me occupied.
Shaun Connor and Jim Colley in action
What advice can you give to those dreaming of competing at the Olympics?
There’s the good and the bad and a lot of adversity associated with becoming an Olympian. You go through some tough miles and need to persist. Jim and I have been sailing together for the best part of eleven years now. We’ve been doing it since we were juniors at the age of thirteen, and now we have a brotherhood. But we’ve faced a lot of adversity.
When you’re not sailing, what do you do to keep fit?
My whole concept with fitness is to focus on the fun stuff. As long as you enjoy it, you’ll stay fit. I do road cycling and I have a kayak for downwind paddling. I also go to the gym regularly, but probably not as much as I should. I prefer to be outside.
Will you be getting an Olympic tattoo?
I always said if I become an Olympian, I’d look at getting one with the Olympic rings. But now I’m thinking maybe a medal instead. I keep moving the goalposts. I’m undecided, so we’ll have to wait and see. But if I win a medal, I’ll be getting a tattoo regardless.
Where would you put it?
I reckon somewhere I can see it myself. Maybe the bicep.
And here I was thinking it would be your butt.
(Laughing loudly) No, not on the butt. I wouldn’t see it if it was there!
Shaun Connor and Jim Colley in action
Do you have a grooming tip? You’ve got pretty good hair.
To be honest I don’t do too much with my hair. Just jump in and out of the shower and I don’t even use that much shampoo. I’m lucky that it’s just natural. I say let it go wild now and then. I like to go rugged and let the beard grow out too. I have a no-shave policy during events, so by the end, I’m looking pretty raw!
On the beach are you Speedos or boardies?
I always wear boardies when I swim, but one of my friends loves his budgie smugglers, so whenever we go to the beach, I’ll put them on. I get the white thighs out! (Laughing)
What about the Aussie green and gold Speedos with Olympic rings?
Now, that would be cool. But I don’t know where to get those. I’ll have to find out!
Any other time, are you into jocks, fitted boxers or a free baller?
Fitted boxers during a day of casual wear, although when we’re sailing, we wear so many layers of wetsuits and harnesses, so whenever I can I definitely freeball. Everything gets cramped up and you’ve got to look after your bits!
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games runs from 26 July to 11 August
Follow Shaun on Instagram @_shaunconnor_
