Celebrate The 52 LGBTQ Women and Non-Binary Athletes Who Medaled at the Tokyo Olympics
Feature image: Raven Saunders by Christian Petersen/Getty Images // Chelsea Gray by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images // Yulimar Rojas by Kaz Photography/Getty Images // Quinn by Naomi Baker/Getty Images
The Tokyo Olympics were such a surreal experience: watching athletes from around the globe come together to compete in delayed events during the middle of a still-raging worldwide pandemic. There were no fans. There was deeply valid criticism of the racist and transphobic legistaltive decisions of the International Olympic Committee. And there were sports. So many sports. So many dreams — crushed and realized — and stories and unforgettable moments. These were also the most openly gay Olympics by far, and so they were also the Olympics where the most gay people medaled. By my count, 52 LGBTQ women and non-binary athletes brought home gold, silver, and bronze. Natalie and I have compiled this list for you of all the winners, with their Instagrams, so you can follow them home like you followed them through the games!
Winners are listed first by medal, then by home country.
GOLD
Ana Marcela Cunha, Brazil
10K Swim
Quinn, Canada
Soccer
Quinn is also the first trans, non-binary athlete to medal at the Olympics!
Kadeisha Buchanan, Canada
Soccer
Erin McLeod, Canada
Soccer
Kailen Sheridan, Canada
Soccer
Stephanie Labbe, Canada
Soccer
Amandine Leynaud, France
Handball
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Alexandra Lacrabère, France
Handball
Amandine Buchard, France
Mixed Team Judo 52KG
Kellie Harrington, Ireland
Boxing, Lightweight
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQOONUtl6VT/
Emma Twigg, New Zealand
Rowing, Single Sculls
Gayle Broughton, New Zealand
Rugby
Ruby Tui, New Zealand
Rugby
Kelly Brazier, New Zealand
Rugby
Portia Woodman, New Zealand
Rugby
Anne Veenendaal, Netherlands
Field Hockey
Sue Bird, USA
Basketball
Chelsea Gray, USA
Basketball
Brittney Griner, USA
Basketball
Breanna Stewart, USA
Basketball
Diana Taurasi, USA
Basketball
Photo by Meng Yongmin/Xinhua via Getty Images
Stefanie Dolson, USA
3×3 Basketball
Yulimar Rojas, Venezuela
Triple Jump
SILVER
Ana Carolina, Brazil
Volleyball
Astrid Guyart, France
Fencing
Nesthy Petecio, Philippines
Boxing
Katarzyna Zillmann, Poland
Rowing
Jolanta Ogar, Poland
Sailing, Women’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Caroline Seger, Sweden
Soccer
Magda Eriksson, Sweden
Soccer
Lina Hurtig, Sweden
Soccer
Hedvig Lindahl, Sweden
Soccer
Ally Carda, USA
Softball
Amanda Chidester, USA
Softball
Haylie McCleney, USA
Softball
Raven Saunders, USA
Shot-put
Erica Sullivan, USA
1500m Freestyle Swim
Hannah Roberts, USA
BMX Freestyle
BRONZE
Leah Wilkinson, Britain
Field Hockey
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRoYO5Bskjs/
Sarah Jones, Britain
Field Hockey
Susannah Townsend, Britain
Field Hockey
Larissa Franklin, Canada
Softball
Joey Lye, Canada
Softball
Jasmin Grabowski, Germany
Judo, 78KG
Raz Hershko, Israel
Judo, Mixed Teams
Lucilla Boari, Italy
Archery
Sanne van Dijke, Netherlands
Judo, 70KG
Tierna Davidson, USA
Soccer
Adrianna Franch, USA
Soccer
Kelley O’Hara, USA
Soccer
Megan Rapinoe, USA
Soccer
Kristie Mewis, USA
Soccer