All eyes are on Paris as the 2024 Summer Olympics are underway. And this year, the amount of queer representation on our screens is record-breaking.
At least 193 gay, lesbian, trans, bi, queer, and nonbinary athletes are competing this year, according to OutSports– and the number continues to climb. 49 additional queer athletes have been added to the list over the past two weeks.
The number has sprinted (Olympic pun intended) past the previous record of 186 out athletes, which was set during the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021.
Queer women dominate the list 9 to 1 – give it up for lesbian representation! Out of the 27 nations represented in the Olympics, Team USA makes up the majority of LGBTQ+ athletes with 32. Brazil has the second most with 30.
Over half of the USA Women’s Basketball team is ‘part of the family:’ Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Kahleah Cooper, and Breanna Stewart. The team is already putting some wins under their belt, and giving us plenty to root for!
Sha’Carri Richardson, who qualified for her first-ever Olympics with the fastest time in the world, is repping queer women and Team USA in Track and Field. Nikki Hiltz, a trans nonbinary runner, is also competing.
The appropriately named Kayla Miracle, who became the first-ever out lesbian to compete in wrestling at the Olympic Games in 2021, is back on the mat again this year. So far, she is the only queer person on Team USA competing in wrestling.
This year is also a big year for queer men. At least 20 gay and bisexual men are competing this year, which is a record. The first-ever out man to compete on Team USA’s Track and Field team, Nico Young, is included on the list.
Queer athletes have already begun making waves during the early days of the Olympics. French judoka Amandine Buchard has become the first LGBTQ Olympic athlete to snatch a medal at this year’s Olympics. Lesbian foil fencer Lauren Scruggs was awarded a silver medal, making her the first Black American woman ever to win an individual fencing medal.
OutSports is continuing to accept submissions to add more athletes to ‘Team LGBTQ+’.
