Tom Daley has called for unity after Russian state TV targeted him in a homophobic attack.

Channel Rossiya 1 aired a number of vile slurs aimed at Daley, with LGBTQ+ people described as an ‘abomination’ by one panellist who is a member of the Russian parliament.

Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard was also victimised as TV host Anatoly Kuzichev wore a wig to mock her and branded trans people ‘psychopaths’.

British Olympic diver Daley, 27, said he ‘had no idea’ about the foul slurs when questioned by reporters.

He said: ‘When we’re at the Olympics, we’re in a bubble and we don’t really see anything.

‘History shows that everything that society is has been dictated from the straight, white, male experience.

‘If we could come together and use different points of view, the world would be a better place.’

The athlete, who scored gold and bronze Olympic medals this year, added that he feels ‘extremely proud’ of speaking out on his experience.

He said: ‘There’s still a lot further to go. There are 10 countries competing at these Olympics where being LGBT is punishable by death.

‘I feel extremely lucky to be representing Team GB, to be able to stand on the diving board as myself, with a husband and a son, and not have to worry about any ramifications.

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‘There are lots of people who grow up around the world in less fortunate situations.

‘I just hope that seeing “out” sportspeople will help people to feel like they are less alone, like they are valued, like they can achieve something.

‘When I was growing up, I always knew I was different. I always heard people saying bad things.

‘You never feel as if you can say anything. You swallow yourself up, and you feel like you’re never going to be anyone.

‘It takes a lot to come out and speak openly. It can be quite daunting and scary for people, especially in sports where the fanbases might not be as accepting.

‘I didn’t realise the impact it would have on people around the world to live as myself. I feel extremely proud of that.’

An International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman said they were contacting the official Russian broadcaster to express their concern.

There are a record number of LGBTQ+ Olympians in Tokyo this year.

Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in Russia in 1993 – but the LGBTQ+ community are still ineligible for legal protections available to heterosexual people.

Vladimir Putin has said same-sex marriage ‘will not happen’ as long as he’s in the Kremlin.

In 2013, the ‘gay propaganda law’ was unanimously approved, which bans the ‘promotion of non-traditional sexual relations to minors’.

Daley married Dustin Lance Black in 2017 and the couple welcomed their son Robert the following year.

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