The Paris 2024 Olympics marks a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in sports. With at least 175 out LGBTQ+ athletes competing, this year’s Games continue the trend of increasing visibility and inclusion. This figure, reported by OutSports, follows the record 186 LGBTQ+ athletes who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, an event delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic. If these athletes had competed as their own team, they would have ranked 11th in the medal table.
The 2022 Beijing Winter Games also saw a notable presence, with 36 out LGBTQ+ athletes, who would have placed 12th, ahead of countries like Japan and Italy. This growing visibility reflects broader societal changes, but questions remain about the depth of this progress.
Stories of LGBTQ+ Athletes
Breanna Stewart, a star player for the USA basketball team, is among those representing the LGBTQ+ community. Stewart, who has won gold medals at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, is married to former basketball player Marta Xargay, and their first child was born shortly after Stewart’s Olympic triumph in 2021.
Brittney Griner, another prominent figure, made headlines after her imprisonment in Russia in 2022. Griner, who is also a US basketball player, is married to Cherelle Watson, and the couple is expecting a child.
Australian rock climber Campbell Harrison’s journey to the Olympics has been arduous and filled with emotion. His qualification was the result of years of intense effort and personal sacrifice. Harrison has been vocal about his struggles and triumphs, dedicating his achievements to the queer community.
Notable Performances and Personal Triumphs
Chelsea Gray, nicknamed “The Point Gawd,” will be aiming to help the US women’s basketball team secure its eighth consecutive gold medal. Gray and her wife Tipesa Moorer are expecting their first child, highlighting the personal milestones accompanying their professional achievements.
British swimmer Dan Jervis, who publicly came out as gay in 2022, will be competing with hopes of adding more medals to his impressive collection. His visibility as an out athlete is part of a broader movement within the swimming community.
Advocates and Icons
Emma Twigg, a New Zealand rower, has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ athletes. After narrowly missing out on medals in previous Games, Twigg won gold in Tokyo and continues to be a significant figure in sports advocacy.
Tom Daley, one of Britain’s most well-known Olympians, will compete in synchronised diving alongside new partner Noah Williams. Daley, who came out in 2013 and is married to screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
The presence of these athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics underscores the importance of representation in sports. Their stories of resilience, dedication, and advocacy serve as an inspiration and a reminder of the ongoing journey towards full inclusion and acceptance in the athletic world.