yes, but still we don't know if that's the only part of his past with that guy
allow me to add my contradiction. I'm an athlete myself and I know a few people who've quit because of similar circumstances. not in a sense that they're harassed but they're just not taken seriously. "whats the point of playing if i know people wont ever acknowledge me?" - is the usual mindset. if I'm not mistaken jaeyoung aimed to go pro in swimming. that's the reason why his mom went to the states to work, because she wanted to support his dream. i personally think jaeyoung thought it over a lot. he could've still continued to playing even if his sexual orientation was exposed. the only downside is he wouldnt be going anywhere in the field. to someone who wants to make a living out of sports, its useless. even tho they may not show it, there's always an underlying prejudice
I feel like Jaeyoung's trauma could've been more dramatic cuz when there was the first hint of his trauma with his crush and swimming I thought it would've been something bigger than the typical threat to expose he was gay (not saying it isn't a meaningful problem either way)-.
I just thought it would've been better if it would be more dramatic like his crush was so angry at/jealous of Jaeyoung enough to throw him into the pool and try to drown him so he wouldn't be able to bring himself to swim again (Jaeyoung did say he was afraid of how deep the water could get or something of that sort). I feel that would've been a better choice and more reasonable for him to be scared shitless.
Tho I guess my idea is a bit cruel, but if his crush was jealous enough to put drugs in Jaeyoung's water then it would be reasonable for him to attempt doing such a horrible thing in the process.