The 2024 Paris Olympics highlighted the contributions and achievements of many outstanding LGBTQ Athletes from around the world.
LGBTQ athletes competed across various categories and represented and panoply of countries. Some showed their swag competing in track and field events, some cut it up on the dance floor during the break dance finals, some took the gold in fencing, judo, rugby or BMX, but all brought their best. Here are some queer athletes who took home medals this summer.
Let’s start with rugby. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and her New Zealand team won gold for the second time, beating Canada. Meanwhile, Canada’s Olivia Apps won silver with the help of her team, making it Canada’s new personal record for the Olympics. The U.S. rugby team took bronze, and out LGBTQ players included Lauren Doyle, Alev Kelter, Kristi Kirshe, Nicole Heavirland, Kris Thomas, and Steph Rovetti. Also representing the U.S.
Lauren Scruggs took home silver in the solo women’s foil event for fencing, and took home gold in foil with the American fencing team.
British synchronized diver, Tom Daley, took home the silver this year as his fifth Olympic medal. He previously won medals at the London, Rio and Tokyo games.
In judo, French competitor Amandine Buchard won bronze solo and gold with the French team. Alice Bellandi from Italy won gold in judo in the 78l division, a record breaker as the first Italian woman to win the gold medal since 2008. Rafaela Silva won bronze as a participant on Brazil’s mixed judo team.
In BMX, LGBTQ+ athletes Natalya Diehm of Australia and Perris Benegas for Team USA both won medals.
From Germany, Tabea Schendekehl won bronze with her country’s team for rowing. Outsports reports she is one of the first out pansexual athletes to win an Olympic medal. Also in rowing, New Zealand’s Emma Twigg, who previously won gold in Tokyo, won silver in the singles sculls competition.
Evy Leibfarth of Team USA won bronze in canoe slalom in her second Olympic games.
Maria Perez from Spain won silver in the 20km race walk. Perez also won a gold medal as part of Spain’s team for the Marathon race walk mixed relay.
Track star Sha’Carri Richardson won silver in the 100-meter dash, and a jaw-dropping gold as the anchor leg of Team USA’s 4×1000 sprint team.
Many more LGBTQ athletes took home medals this year, including the US Women’s basketball team which included Brittney Griner.
Congratulations to all the amazing LGBTQ Olympians!
Featured Image: 2024 Olympic Winners Tom Daley and Noah Williams (photo by Actionplus)
