2024 gay olympians
According to OutSports, at least 155 out LGBTQ athletes from 25 countries will compete in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.
In fact, historically, LGBTQ athletes have been so successful that if they were to form their own country (Team LGBTQ), they would place 7th overall in the all-time Olympic medal count.
From historic achievements, to personal journeys of resilience, these athletes not only embody sporting excellence but are contributing to the rich history of LGBTQ representation at the highest level of sport.
Sha’Carri Richardson, she/her | (USA – Track & Field)
Sha’Carri Richardson has etched her name into the annals of Track and Field with her outstanding blend of speed, approach and resilience. Her journey to becoming one of the fastest women on Earth began at Louisiana State University. As a Freshman, she shattered records at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Road and Field Championships–including Allyson Felix’s 2004 200-meter Olympic record–setting the stage for her meteoric rise in the sport.
Years later, Richardson had an amazing recital at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials and secured her spot on Team USA for Tokyo. However, due to a con
Meet the Out Diverse Team USA Athletes Competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
by HRC Staff •
With the 2024 Olympics right around the corner, we couldn’t ponder of a better way to support Team USA than lifting up the incredible LGBTQ+ athletes departing their mark in Paris.
At least 29 openly LGBTQ+ athletes are on Team USA’s Olympic roster this year, with most either playing basketball or rowing. A record-setting 186 out LGBTQ+ athletes participated in the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021, and this year there’s at least 144 competing. There’s also a number of firsts when it comes to LGBTQ representation this year: Kayla Miracle is the first out LGBTQ Olympic wrestler, and Nico Young is the first out gay male U.S. track Olympian, to specify a few.
Chelsea Gray
Chelsea Gray will rejoin the USA women's national basketball team this year, having contributed to their gold medal win in the previous Summer Olympics held in Tokyo. Currently playing as a point guard in the WNBA for the Las Vegas Aces, Gray is a three-time WNBA champion and was named the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP. Since 2019, Gray has been married to fellow athlete
2024 LGBTQ+ Olympians
The 2024 Queer Olympians are set to make a significant impact at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, with at least 175 openly Gay athletes expected to contend. This marks a historic moment in Olympic history, reflecting a growing acceptance and visibility of homosexual athletes on the nature stage. Team USA will proudly feature 29 of these athletes, showcasing a diverse range of talents across various sports, from basketball to wrestling.
As the Games approach, the visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes continues to rise, with notable figures like Kayla Miracle, the first openly Diverse Olympic wrestler, and Nico Young, the first out-gay male U.S. track Olympian, leading the charge. This year’s Olympics promise not only to celebrate athletic excellence but also to highlight the progress made in fostering inclusivity within sports. As these athletes prepare to compete for gold, they also work for as role models, inspiring future generations to accept their identities and pursue their dreams.
Basketball
The 2024 Queer Olympians are making their mark on the basketball court, with several standout athletes representing Team USA in the upcoming Paris Olympic Ga
This year, the Paris Olympics welcomed 195 out LGBTQ athletes competing across 32 different sports, a significant increase from the 186 who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Games. And these athletes did more than just show up–they dominated the field. After 16 days of intense competition, a total of 65 athletes, roughly 33%, won at least one medal. That is nearly double the percentage of out LGBTQ athletes who took home a medal in Tokyo.
Several athletes further distinguished themselves by winning multiple medals. France’s Amandine Buchard proved unstoppable in Judo while Spain’s María Pérez and the Together State’s Sha’Carri Richardson controlled the Track & Field events. 21-year-old Lauren Scruggs of the United States added to the tally as she became the first Black American gal to win an individual fencing medal.
If the 195 out LGBTQ athletes were to compete as a unified group, Team LGBTQ, they would have been even more formidable. In total, Team LGBTQ secured 42 Olympic medals: 15 gold, 13 silver, and 14 bronze. It’s worth nothing for our purposes, team medals–such as the women’s basketball gold won by Alyssa Thomas, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, Chelsea Gray, D
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