At least 144 LGBTQ athletes are set to participate in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, showcasing a significant milestone in inclusivity within the sports world. Notable competitors include British diver Tom Daley, Canadian soccer player Quinn, and USA track athletes Sha’Carri Richardson and Nikki Hiltz. This marks a record number of out male Olympians, reflecting the growing acceptance and visibility of LGBTQ athletes.
In the previous Tokyo 2021 Olympics, 186 out athletes competed, a number that increased as more athletes came out publicly. Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of LGBTQ sports site OutSports, anticipates a similar trend for the Paris Olympics, predicting an increase in the number of out athletes as the event approaches. Already, additional male athletes have been identified and will be added to the tally.
This year, at least 18 male athletes are publicly out, with equestrian sports leading the way. The majority of out athletes are women, with more than 120 women participating. Women’s elite level sports have long been more welcoming to LGBTQ athletes, with significant representation in teams such as the U.S. women’s basketball team and the Australian women’s soccer team.
Prominent figures such as Sha’Carri Richardson and trans nonbinary runner Nikki Hiltz highlight the diversity within the LGBTQ community at the Games. Hiltz, in particular, dedicated their performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials to the LGBTQ community, emphasizing the importance of representation and support.
The elimination of certain sports like softball, which had a high number of LGBTQ participants, and the impact of bans on trans women in some categories may influence the overall number of LGBTQ athletes. Nevertheless, the visibility and participation of LGBTQ athletes continue to grow, with sports like women’s soccer leading in inclusivity.