British track and field athlete Tom Bosworth has come out as gay.

The 25-year-old athlete is currently ranked number one in the UK for 20km race walker, holding three British records.

Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire show, Bosworth said: ‘It is a big decision, but it’s not going to change my life. I’m comfortable and have been in a happy relationship for the last four and a half years.

‘This isn’t going to shock anybody that knows me. But to speak out about this, as a sportsperson, it is still news.

He added: ‘In a few years time, anyone [will be able] to do this. Anyone can succeed in sport. And then hopefully it won’t be news anymore.’

Bosworth said it was a ‘scary’ thing to come out, but felt like he was ‘really lucky’ because of the support he has had from friends and family. He said he has had ‘99% support’ from other athletes, including Mo Farah.

‘In sport I don’t think being gay is still a “normal” thing,’ he added, when asked about why it is still hard to come out in sport.

‘In sport you have to look strong, in athletics you’re out there on your own. Others might see being gay as a weakness, but I certainly do not consider my sexuality a weakness.’

Bosworth is the second British track and field athlete to come out after hurdler Robert Newton. Bosworth is expected to qualify and compete for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics.