ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Thomas reflects on Williams' great reaction to HIV news as they team up

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Wednesday Oct 13, 2021

Welsh rugby legends Shane Williams and Gareth Thomas ran side-by-side last weekend in the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London, to raise awareness for the Tackle HIV initiative.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thomas revealed that he was HIV positive in 2019, having come out a decade earlier, and has been a key proponent of various awareness programmes around the virus ever since.

Still something of a taboo within elite sport, HIV affects over 100,000 people in the UK with more than 37 million globally living with the virus.

Thomas has been open about how he has dealt with HIV and believes it is vital for people to understand just what it is like living with it day-to-day.

The former Wales captain has also said that the support he received throughout the past three years since being diagnosed, from Williams in particular, has been invaluable.

RELATED: Support floods in for Gareth Thomas after HIV reveal

“I couldn’t be where I am today without the support of others. I didn’t do this on my own,” Thomas told the PA news agency.

“When I sat down with Shane and told him I was living with HIV, it was live on camera.

“I tried for weeks and weeks previously to get Shane to let me tell him what I was going to tell him.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Because I didn’t want Shane’s reaction not to represent who he is as a man. And I understood there could have been a moment that captured an awkward look on Shane’s face.

“I’m proud of where I am in my life, but I’m only where I am in my life because of people like Shane, and my family.”

Williams spoke of the admiration he had for his friend and former team-mate.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He didn’t know how the public were going to perceive him,” Williams said.

“But as soon as he did say something, he felt 100 times better, so much weight was lifted off the shoulders and that kind of stress had been relieved.

“And the public reaction has been just the same as from his family and friends. The public loves Gareth for Gareth, and that’s important.

WATCH: Gareth Thomas flipped in brutal tackle during 2000 Cardiff Test

“I am very proud of him as his friend; out of captaining your country and playing for Wales 100 times, that was probably far easier than coming out as gay and coming out as having contracted HIV.

“But he’s done all those things and the manner in which he has just shows what a strong character he is.

“I think his experience hopefully provides a good platform for others to follow in future. As a captain in rugby he led from the front and I feel like he’s just done that all over again.

“I know people have used him as an inspiration to change their lives, and that’s only going to continue.”

You can watch the full 2019 documentary mentioned above on the BBC iPlayer (UK only)

Related Articles

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Bristol Bears break 20-year record with victory...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    All Blacks star Jordie Barrett discusses...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Gloucester's next 'Rees-Zammit' scores incredible...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 8 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

View All