Another Olympic medalist has come out publicly after receiving a touching message from her girlfriend during a press conference.
Italian archer Lucilla Boari, who won bronze in archery over the weekend, was surprised with a video message from Dutch archer Sanne de Laat while she spoke with Italian reporters following her medal win.
“Congratulations! You did super, super, super amazing and I’m super proud of you,” said de Laat, “and I can’t wait till you’re here and I can give you the biggest hug there is. I love you so much.”
After listening to the message, a smiling Boari told reporters, “This is Sanne, my girlfriend.”
Boari is the first Italian woman ever to win a medal in archery, defeating American Mackenzie Brown 7-1 in the bronze medal match. “I have been dreaming about this moment quite a lot, if I can be honest, and that dream just came true,” she told World Archery. “I’m the happiest girl right now.”
Boari isn’t the only medal winner to come out during a press conference. Last week, Polish rower Katarzyna Zillmann came out while speaking to reporters following her team’s silver-medal run in the quadruple sculls.
Outsports now estimates that there are 180 out athletes at the Tokyo Games, surpassing the total number of athletes who competed in all previous Summer and Winter Games combined. Outsports currently has “Team LGBTQ” in 8th place in the medal count with six gold medals, seven silver, and six bronze.
Earlier this week, New Zealand’s Laurel Hubbard became the first openly trans woman to compete in Olympic competition. Canadian soccer player Quinn will become the first openly trans athlete to win a medal with Canada’s advancement to the women’s soccer final on Friday.
What Do You Think?