Olympic swim champion Mark Tewksbury was almost part of hockey history, helping the first gay NHLer come out of the closet. "We almost had someone coming out," said the gold medallist in the 100-metre backstroke at the 1992 Barcelona Games. "It was a very big deal. It looked like someone was finally going to do it and I was part of a small team that was in on it. And the person backed out at the 23rd hour, just couldn't do it. I also respect that. You can't force anybody." Tewksbury was brought in to help by the Gay and Lesbian Athletes Association when an NHL player decided he wanted to come out in 2004. Tewksbury said the player is still active and he knows there are more gay players in the NHL, but they're too afraid to come out.