As the anticipation for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics intensifies, the spotlight on LGBTQ+ representation in sports continues to grow. As has been a tradition at many Olympics in the past, Paris will have a Pride House which the Games’ official website describes as “a space that will be open to everyone, where it will be possible to celebrate its community and its pride.”
Participation of LGBTQ+ athletes in the Tokyo Summer Olympics three years ago reached a notable milestone, with a count of at least 186 individuals openly identifying as LGBTQ+, surpassing the numbers from Rio 2016 by more than threefold. As the upcoming Paris Olympics approach, there is a keen anticipation for a further surge in representation.
Many athletes have already qualified, or are looking like they are likely to qualify to compete in the Games. (However, it should also be noted that just because an athlete qualifies, it still doesn’t guarantee them a spot on the team, like in the case of openly gay diver Tom Daley.) But how many of these qualifying athletes are openly gay or are part of the LGBTQ+ community? Here are 7 openly gay and bisexual athletes who have qualified or are likely to qualify and ultimately compete in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Robbie Manson, Rowing
Robbie Manson is an openly gay rower competing for New Zealand in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Whether you’re a sports fan, or just a Robbie Manson fan, you can support his athletic dreams and journey to the Paris Games via his OnlyFans where subscribers can “discover exclusive content that tastefully explores the boundaries, including artistics portrayals of nudity,” according to his profile.
Campbell Harrison, Rock Climbing
Campbell Harrison came out as gay in 2021, and announced that he would be competing for Australia in the Paris Olympics on Instagram. In a video celebrating and announcing his qualification, Harrison can be seen kissing his partner, Justin Maire. In an article about his coming out as gay, Harrison said, “By embracing myself as both a gay man and an athlete I have the ability to assure young people, who may be feeling the apprehension that I did, that gay people are not only all around us, but we don’t have to hide who we are to get respect.”
Emma Twigg, Rowing
New Zealand rower Emma Twigg will be competing in the Paris Olympics, defending the gold medal she won in Tokyo in 2021. The Olympic rowing champion is openly gay and married to her wife, Charlotte. Emma and Charlotte welcomed a son in 2022 named Tommy.
Tom Daley, Diving
British Olympic gold medalist diver, Tom Daley, has qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but has yet to be actually “selected” to compete. After winning his first Olympic gold medal, Daley made a heartfelt speech to LGBTQ+ youth saying, “I hope that any young LGBT person out there can see that no matter how alone you feel right now you are not alone.” He added, “I feel incredibly proud to say that I am a gay man and also an Olympic champion.” When he’s not diving, Daley has his own knitwear company and is happily married to his husband Dustin Lance Black with whom he has two children, Robbie and Phoenix.
Sha’Carri Richardson, Track and field
One of the fastest women in history, Sha’Carri Richardson is representing Team USA at the Paris Summer Games. Richardson set a world record for the 100m by clocking a time of 10.65 seconds, which made her the world’s fastest woman. Richardson identifies as bisexual.
Jack Woolley, Taekwondo
Irish taekwondo athlete, Jack Woolley represented Ireland in the 2020 Summer Olympics. Woolley is openly bisexual and occasionally shares posts of his boyfriend on Instagram. He has yet to qualify for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Marc Tur, Racewalking
Spanish Olympic racewalker, Marc Tur, placed 4th in the men’s 50 kilometer walk in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Tur is openly gay and was inspired by Tom Daley’s coming out to make his sexuality public as well. In a tweet, Tur shared that he is gay and recognized the gay Olympians who had come out of the closet before him that served as inspiration. Tur has yet to qualify for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
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