Mark Leduc
Mark Leduc (May 4, 1962 – July 22, 2009) was a Canadian boxer. He competed for Canada at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
| Mark Leduc | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Rated at | Super lightweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Reach | 139 lb (63 kg) |
| Nationality |  Canadian |
| Born | May 4, 1962 Toronto, Ontario |
| Died | July 22, 2009 (aged 47) Toronto, Ontario |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 5 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Wins by KO | 2 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Draws | 0 |
Medal record
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career change
Leduc began his training in the East End of Toronto. His parents divorced when he was 15 and he had to live on the streets. Leduc was arrested for robbing a jewellery store at gunpoint and he was sentenced to spend six years at the Collins Bay Penitentiary in Kingston, Ontario. He was released from prison after serving 3 years.[1]
At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, Leduc competed for Canada and was able to win a silver medal. He defeated Leonard Doroftei 13-6 and was defeated by Héctor Vinent 1-11.[2] In 1992, he turned pro and he had limited success. He recorded a record of 4-1-0 after losing to Michel Galarneau and retired.
In 1993, Leduc spoke on CBC Radio's documentary "The Last Closet" about being a gay athlete. He was not ready to come out yet and he spoke anonymously and through a voice filter.[2] He officially came out as gay on the TV documentary For the Love of the Game in 1994.[3]
On July 22, 2009, Leduc collapsed in the sauna of a local hotel in Toronto and died. Doctors said that he may have died due to heat stroke.[4]
References change
- ↑ "Mark Leduc had the guts to come out swinging". The Globe and Mail. 20 August 2009. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Leduc remembered as Olympic champ, gay role model". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
- ↑ "Mark Leduc, 47: Gay athlete, Olympic medallist". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
- ↑ "Canadian Olympic Boxer Mark Leduc Dies". The Sports Network. Retrieved 2015-05-10.[permanent dead link]