English figure skater John Curry was BOTD in 1949. Born in Birmingham, he wanted to study ballet as a child but was discouraged by his father who considered it inappropriate for boys. As a compromise, he took up figure skating, moving to London and eventually to the United States to continue his studies. In 1976, he achieved the Grand Slam of figure skating, winning the British, European and World Championships and a gold medal at the Montreal Olympic Games, achieving the highest score ever awarded for an Olympic figure-skating event. Admired for his ballet-like posture and body control, he combined excellent technique with artistic presentation. He came out publicly as gay during a press interview a few days before the 1976 World Championships, confirming the news at a press conference. After his Grand Slam success, he formed a touring skating troupe, choreographing his own work and commissioning pieces from ballet choreographers Kenneth MacMillan and Twyla Tharp. Diagnosed with HIV in 1987, Curry publicly disclosed his status in an interview in 1992. He had a two-year relationship with actor Alan Bates, dying in Bates’ arms in 1994. He was 44.