SKI JUMPER 1ST LESBIAN TO WIN MEDAL AT SOCHI

Austria’s Daniela Iraschko-Stolz has become the first openly gay athlete to win a medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

The 30-year-old athlete took home the silver medal in Tuesday’s women’s ski jump, coming second behind Germany’s Carina Vogt.

Her success follows the gold medal win by bisexual speed skater Ireen Wüst from the Netherlands on Sunday.

Iraschko-Stolz, who married her partner last year, was the subject of some controversy last week when she was quoted as saying that the reaction to Russia’s anti-gay law “is being blown up bigger than it is.”

Following her silver win, she clarified her comments, telling journalists that she had been misunderstood and “would never say that. I fight a lot in my life, for my sport and for my love.”

According to USA TODAY Sports, Iraschko-Stolz said that she hoped her second place win would have a positive impact on the plight of LGBT Russians.

“When you are in the media, many people maybe knew my name and also knew that I am married with a woman.

“I hope for the future that the people now can see the sport as a chance to change something. That would be nice. Because everyone looks at Russia and its laws, and I think it’s a good idea to change something,” she said.

Iraschko-Stolz is one of the seven openly LGBT athletes at the Games, all of whom are women.

The Sochi Games have been embroiled in controversy over Russia’s oppressive gay propaganda law which has been widely condemned around the world.