Out-athlete Michael Gunning shares photos of his first vacation in Brazil
Gunning, arguably the fastest Jamaican swimmer of all time, has fallen in love with Brazil.
Mark
Out-swimmer Michael Gunning has been enjoying a sun-soaked first visit to Brazil.
Gunning, 31, is a British-Jamaican swimmer. He was born in Kent and showed an aptitude for swimming from a young age. He began to compete for Team GB in aquatics competitions in 2010.
After 2017, he decided to compete for Jamaica. He recognized a lack of LGBTQ role models in the Caribbean and believed he would have a greater impact by representing the island nation.
Gunning represented Jamaica at the 2017 and 2019 World Aquatics Championships and the 2019 Pan American Games.
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He was initially selected to represent Jamaica at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. However, the pandemic prompted the International Swimming Federation (FINA) revising its qualifying standards and allocating only one “universality place” to Jamaica. Gunning wasn’t selected.
He retired from competitive swimming in 2022, after smashing several Jamaican swimming records in freestyle and butterfly. He has continued to be a loud and vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights.
Brazil
Speaking to GayCities about his Brazil vacation, Gunning says it was somewhere he’d wanted to visit since the country hosted the Olympics in 2016.
“It was my first time in Brazil, and it exceeded every expectation,” he said. “I was lucky enough to spend time in São Paulo, Trancoso and Rio de Janeiro, each with a completely different energy.
“São Paulo’s food scene and culture were incredible, Trancoso’s beaches were stunning and the nightlife in the Quadrado was electric. In Rio, the warmth of the people really stood out.
“My highlight was Trancoso… seeing the stars at night and experiencing how joyful and vibrant everyone is. It’s a place that leaves a lasting impression.”
Originally a 16th-century fishing village, Trancoso is a bohemian-chic beach destination in Bahia. As mentioned by Gunning, travelers love it for its iconic “Quadrado”, a UNESCO protected vibrant, grassy town square lined with colorful houses and a historic church. It also boasts stunning, secluded beaches.
Gunning stayed at Soho House in São Paulo and Fasano in Rio. In Trancoso, he opted for the “rustic luxury” of UXUA. The spa hotel offers a range of gorgeous suites… just watch out for the moths at night!
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