Welsh swimmer Daniel Jervis has opened up about his faith and sexuality.

During an interview with BBC Sport, Jervis said he is now ready to talk publicly about being gay and how his faith is compatible with it. 

"It took 24 years to be who I was, but now I'm happy. I look in the mirror and I like who I am," he said. 

Having just come back from the World Championships in Budapest, this is the first time the team GB Olympic swimmer has shared about his experience of coming out as a Christian. 

"I'm 26 now and it has taken me years to come to terms with it, a lot of it is because of my faith. 

"I'm a devout Christian, I grew up in a Christian family and I've always said in interviews that that's the thing I'm most proud of, and I stand by it right now, it just happens that I'm also gay," the Welshman said.

"I love God, and out of all the things in my life my faith is what I'm most proud of. And there is this thing where people say you can't be Christian and gay together, and I was sitting there knowing you can be because I am!" he continued. 

This is not the first time Jervis has shared about his faith. Last year, following his Olympic participation, the swimmer thanked God and his family church for their support during the games. 

The 26-year-old grew up in a Christian household in Resolven, Wales where his father is a deacon at Sardis Church. 

Jervis is only weeks away from his third consecutive Commonwealth Games.