Paris Olympics: Three South Africans Among 175 Out LGBTQ+ Athletes
South Africa is fielding three out LGBTQ+ athletes, Sarah Baum, Kemisetso Shalene Baloyi, and Dirkie Chamberlain (Photos: Instagram)
At least 175 openly LGBTQ+ athletes are competing for medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, including three from South Africa. This marks a significant achievement for inclusion and representation in sports.
The extensive list of queer athletes participating in the global event has been compiled by the Outsports website, showcasing a record number of openly male Olympic athletes.
This reflects the growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ athletes in a sports world that has traditionally been extremely conservative and unwelcoming to queer competitors, especially men.
“The 2024 Paris Games mark a significant increase in LGBTQ+ representation, highlighting the progress towards inclusivity and acceptance in the sports world,” said Outsports. It noted that this is the second consecutive Summer Games where the number of out athletes has reached triple digits.
The USA boasts the largest LGBTQ+ team at the Games, with 30 athletes, followed by Brazil with 28, Australia with 20, and Great Britain with 11.
South Africa is the only African country to field openly out competitors in 2024, with Dirkie Chamberlain competing in field hockey, Kemisetso Baloyi in rugby, and Sarah Baum in surfing.
However, Africa is also represented by Cameroonian-born UK-based boxer Cindy Ngamba, who is competing as a member of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, which consists of 37 athletes.
Outsports says it uses journalistic sources, reader input, and athletes’ social media to verify if each sportsperson is publicly out. When unsure, the site contacts individuals for confirmation to avoid inadvertently “outing” anyone.
The platform will continue to add new names to the list as it believes the number of out athletes in the Paris Games will rise as more information becomes available. While the final tally of “Team LGBTQ” members at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was 186 athletes, the initial list at the start of those Games included only 120 names.
The Paris Games also saw another LGBTQ+ first, with three French drag artists selected to act as torch bearers for the Olympic flame,
The increasing visibility and representation of LGBTQ+ athletes at the Olympics demonstrate the progress being made towards a more inclusive and accepting environment in sports. This moment at the Paris Games is a testament to the resilience and courage of these athletes, who continue to break barriers and inspire others around the world.
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