Paris Olympics: Team LGBTQIA+ Shines with 10 Medals, Outperforming Countries Criminalising Being Gay
In a remarkable display of athleticism and pride, Team LGBTQIA+ has secured the 9th position in the overall medal count at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as reported by Outsports. The team, consisting of publicly out LGBTQIA+ athletes from various countries, has collectively won 1 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze medals, surpassing the performance of nations that criminalise being gay.
Kissing Her Way to Silver
Perris Benegas, a BMX freestyle athlete from the USA, celebrated her first international medal by kissing her girlfriend after winning silver in Paris.
With 193 out athletes, Team LGBTQIA+ boasts the 15th largest contingent at the Paris Olympics. This number is expected to grow as more athletes come out publicly during the course of the event. Many of the out athletes compete in team sports, suggesting that a significant portion of Team LGBTQIA+’s medals will be won in the second week of the Olympics.
A Family Affair for Diving Legend
British diver Tom Daley, competing alongside his partner Noah Williams, clinched his fifth Olympic medal and first silver in the 10-meter platform synchro competition, making it a proud moment for his family.
Outsports ranks Team LGBTQIA+ based on the total number of medals won. If ranked by the number of gold medals first, followed by silver and bronze, the team would currently hold the 12th position, just ahead of Sweden.
History Made in Women’s Rugby Sevens
The USA women’s rugby sevens team, featuring several out athletes, earned the nation’s first-ever Olympic medal in the sport, while Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team, with out athletes Olivia Apps, Sophie de Goede, and Maddy Grant, surprised Australia in the semifinals to secure a silver medal.
Here’s the list of the Team LGBTQIA+ Medalists (so far):
Gold Medals
- Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, New Zealand, Rugby Sevens
Silver Medals
- Perris Benegas, USA, BMX Freestyle
- Olivia Apps, Sophie de Goede, Maddy Grant, Canada, Rugby Sevens
- Tom Daley, Great Britain, Diving
- Lauren Scruggs, United States, Fencing
Bronze Medals
- Evy Liebfarth, USA, Canoe Slalom
- Tabea Schendekehl, Germany, Rowing
- Natalya Diehm, Australia, BMX Freestyle
- Lauren Doyle, Alev Kelter, Steph Rovetti, Kristi Kirshe, USA, Rugby Sevens
- Amandine Buchard, France, Judo
