Paris Olympics: Historic Team LGBTQ+ Breaks Participation Record

With “Team LGBTQ+” nearly 200 strong, more out LGBTQ+ athletes are participating in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games than in any other Olympic Games in history.

According to Outsports’ updated list of publicly out Paris Olympic sportspeople, a record-breaking 195 LGBTQ+ athletes are competing in this year’s Games in the French capital.

“In the last 12 days, we have received submissions from many readers and several journalists, which allowed us to verify 51 more out athletes and update the list,” said the website.

The previous record was 186 out athletes at the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021, and the number could still increase in the coming days.

Outsports noted that, as in previous years, the majority of out Olympians are women, although the 20 gay and bi men included in the 2024 list is itself a record.

The majority of these athletes hail from Western nations, with 33 from the United States, followed by Brazil with 30 and Australia with 20.

South Africa remains 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. They have unfortunately failed to score any medals.

As of Saturday, 3 August, LGBTQ+ athletes had won 5 gold medals, 10 silver medals, and 7 bronze medals. If Team LGBTQ+ were a country, it would be in sixth place in the overall medals tally.

While the event has seen out queer sportspeople excel in their respective events, it has also been in the headlines due to instances of homophobia and transphobia.

Many took exception to the opening ceremony for its inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, while athletes like Algerian boxer Imane Khelif became the subject of widespread hateful misinformation, abuse and bullying over speculation about her gender and sex.

Despite these challenges, the increasingly public presence of LGBTQ+ athletes in Paris sends a powerful message of inclusivity and representation.