At least 155 publicly out gay, lesbian, bisexual, and nonbinary athletes will be competing in Paris for the 2024 Olympics. This marks the second consecutive Summer Games where the number of out athletes has reached triple digits. Notably, there is also a record number of out-male-identifying Olympians.
According to Outsports, these figures, which are expected to increase as the Games progress, highlight growing acceptance within the sports world, especially for female athletes. However, the number of out-LGBTQ+ Olympians still represents less than 2% of the anticipated 10,700 participants. Team USA stands out, with more than 5% of its athletes being out LGBTQ+ individuals.
Among the prominent out Olympians are British diver Tom Daley; USA track star Sha’Carri Richardson; pro basketball players Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, and Chelsea Gray of Team USA; Brazilian gymnast Arthur Nory; and nonbinary athletes Quinn (Canada soccer) and Nikki Hiltz (USA track and field).
Outsports also highlights that the number of publicly out female-identifying Olympians outnumber their out male-identifying counterparts by an 8-1 margin, a ratio similar to the 2021 Tokyo Games.
While this year’s numbers appear to be down from the last Olympic Games, with the final count of Team LGBTQ+ members at the Tokyo Games being 186 athletes – Outsports had initially listed 120 out-Olympians; however, this number grew as fans, journalists, and athletes themselves provided additional names.
The absence of sports like softball and Sweden’s women’s soccer team has also affected the totals this year. In Tokyo, there were eight out-softball players and four Swedish soccer players.
