Rugby star who snubbed Folau to wear rainbow headgear at Olympics

At the start of last year, Australian women’s sevens co-captain Sharni Williams was asked for her reaction to the news that Israel Folau had signed a contract with Catalans Dragons in Super League.

The controversial Wallabies star had already severed ties with Australian rugby in 2019 after an Instagram post that said homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented their sins.

Sharni Williams will wear special rainbow headgear at the Tokyo Olympics. Credit:Rugby Australia

The Folau issue ate away at Australian rugby for months and months, yet on this sunny morning at Bankwest Stadium ahead of the 2020 Sydney Sevens, Williams was - respectfully - in no mood to give Folau any more oxygen.

“I don’t know who you are talking about,” Williams told reporters with a straight face.

Fast-forward 18 months and Williams has secured her own win as a proud member of the LGBT+ community, having proposed to her partner Mel earlier this year.

The 2016 Rio gold medallist is set to wear rainbow headgear during matches throughout the Games after being granted approval by the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC has relaxed rules around how athletes can express views and protest on certain issues at these Olympics.

Athletes are permitted to perform gestures, such as taking a knee, as long as their actions aren’t disruptive nor relate to specific people or countries.

They are able to protest but cannot do so on the medal podium.

Williams teamed up with Gilbert to create the headgear that has been given the tick of approval by the IOC and Australian Olympic Committee ahead of Thursday’s opening match against Japan.

The 33-year-old is thrilled at the news.

“Rugby is a safe and inclusive game and this headgear is the epitome of that message,” Williams said. “I’m an out and proud member of the LGBT+ community. However, this headgear isn’t to tell that story. It’s a celebration of our game, a game that has given me so much and something which I hope to share.

“It has allowed me to be the person I am, allowed me to represent my country on every stage without hesitation or uncertainty.

“Ultimately though, I think at the moment the world just needs a rainbow.”

In a post on Instagram last month, Williams elaborated further on her bright headgear, which she also wore at the Oceania Sevens tournament last month in preparation for the Olympics.

“Rugby is a game for all. That inclusivity plays a big part in why I still choose to play rugby today,” Williams wrote.

“Visibility and awareness is an important part of making the world of sport a better and safer place for members of the LGBTQI+ community. So I’ve teamed up with Gilbert to create this amazing rainbow headgear that shows my pride in being part of this incredible community.

“Hopefully this encourages others in the sporting world, young and old, to get out and wave their pride loudly also.”

Australia are aiming for back-to-back gold medals but will face stiff competition from New Zealand, who they beat 24-17 in the 2016 decider in Brazil. They face Japan first-up before clashes with China and the USA.

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Tom Decent is a journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald

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