According to OutSports, there are now nearly 200 out LGBTQ athletes from 27 countries are competing in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris with 10 medals awarded to LGBTQ olympians so far.
In fact, historically, LGBTQ athletes have been so successful that if they were to form their own country (Team LGBTQ), they would place 7th overall in the all-time Olympic medal count!
Here’s some of who we’re tracking crossing the winner’s circle in Paris!
GOLD
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, New Zealand, Women’s Rugby Sevens
Alice Bellandi, Italy, Women’s Judo -78 kg
Alice Bellandi has won her first-ever Olympic medal and Team LGBTQ’s first gold medal with her victory in the finals of Women’s Judo -78 kg. To celebrate her “gold full of love,” Bellandi shared a kiss with her girlfriend and fellow judoka Jasmine Martin.
Frederic Wandres, Germany, Equestrian Dressage Team Grand Prix Special
Riding his horse Bluetooth and supported by his boyfriend, Frederic Wandres helped Germany retain its title, winning gold in the Dressage Team Grand Prix Special.
Lauren Scruggs, USA, Women’s Foil Team
Lauren Scruggs and her teammate, Lee Kiefer, brought the USA a gold medal in Women’s Foil Team after their victory against Italy. This is Scruggs’ second medal at the Paris Olympics, and marks the first time in history that the US has won an Olympic gold medal in fencing since it began competing in 1904.
Amandine Buchard, France, Judo Mixed Team
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Amandine Buchard received her second Olympic gold medal in Judo mixed team following a legendary series of matches between France and Japan. The former–seeking to defend its Tokyo 2020 title in a rematch–came back from a 3-1 deficit to win it all.
Kellie Harrington, Ireland, Women’s Boxing 60kg
Kellie Harrington is the first Irish woman in history to win gold medals at two Olympic Games! After a 4-1 win against China’s Yang Wenlu, Harrington clinched her second Olympic gold medal–the perfect capstone to the amateur boxer’s career. Shortly after the fight, Harrington announced that she will go out a champion and has plans to retire from the sport.
María Pérez, Spain, Marathon Race Walk Relay Mixed
María Pérez and her teammate Álvaro Martín teamed up to win Spain the gold medal in the inaugural Olympic Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay in Paris. Together, the duo clocked 2:50.31, beating out the second-place finisher by almost a minute. This is Pérez’s second Olympic medal at Paris, following her silver in the individual 20km race walk.
Lara Vadlau, Austria, Sailing Mixed Dinghy
After three Olympic and several World Championship appearances, Lara Vadlau finally has her Olympic gold medal! On Thursday, she and her teammate Lukas Maehr won the Mixed Dinghy Event at the Paris Olympics, bringing Vadlau and Austria their first Olympic gold medal of the Games. Vadlau is in a long-term romantic relationship with Olympic soccer player Lea Schuller who will be competing in the bronze medal match of the women’s soccer tournament on Friday.
Sha’Carri Richardson, United States, Women’s Track & Field, 4x100m Relay
Sha’Carri Richardson, ran down her opponents in the anchor leg of the Women’s 4x100m relay and brought Team USA from fourth place to first, securing her first Olympic gold medal. Richardson had an amazing Olympic debut and is returning home with two Olympic medals.
Team Netherlands, Field Hockey
After a hard fought match that went into overtime, Team Netherlands edged out Team China 3-1 in a shoot-out competition, clinching an Olympic gold medal. Goalie Anne Veenendaal played the entire match with a Pride flag on her helmet. Out LGBTQ members of Team Netherlands Women’s Field Hockey include: Anne Veenendaal and Marleen Jochems.
Ana Patricia, Brazil, Women’s Beach Volleyball
Ana Patricia (right) and her teammate Duda brought home a gold medal after defeating the Canadian team, 2-1. This is Ana Patricia’s first Olympic medal after a short but decorated beach volleyball career.
Tierna Davidson, United States, Women’s Soccer
The only out LGBTQ athlete to play for Team USA in the Women’s Soccer gold medal match, Tierna Davidson helped topple Brazil and bring the US a gold medal.
Paola Egonu, Italy, Women’s Volleyball
Paola Egonu and the Italian Women’s National Volleyball Team prevented the USA from winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in Volleyball, winning the final 3-0.
Svenja Brunchhorst, Germany, 3×3 Basketball
Svenja Brunckhorst (right) and the German 3×3 Basketball team defeated Spain 17-16 in a dramatic final in which Sonja Greinacher clinched a gold medal for Germany with a last-minute 2-pointer.
Team USA, Women’s Basketball
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USA Women’s Basketball continues its history of athletic dominance after winning their eighth-consecutive Olympic gold medal. Kahleah Copper was the definitive MVP of the gold medal match, putting up 12 points, 2 assists, and 5 rebounds. More than half of the team are out LGBTQ athletes: Alyssa Thomas, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, Chelsea Gray, Diana Taurasi, Jewell Lloyd, and Copper.
SILVER
Tom Daley, Great Britain, Synchronized Diving
From retirement to podium, Tom Daley makes a triumphant return to diving with a silver medal in Men’s Synchronized 10m Platform with his diving partner, Noah Williams. This makes for Daley’s fifth olympic medal and adds to his already stellar history in the sport.
Lauren Scruggs, United States, Fencing Foil Individual
Lauren Scruggs shined bright with a silver medal in Women’s Foil Individual and she brings Team LGBTQ its first silver medal at the Games for Women’s Foil. Scruggs also makes history as the first Black woman and first LGBTQ person to medal in Fencing. She’ll be making her return to the piste this Saturday for the Women’s Foil Team elimination matches.
Perris Benegas, United States, Cycling BMX Freestyle
In a stunning win for Team USA, Perris Benegas took home the silver medal in Women’s Cycling BMX Freestyle.
Raz Hershko, Israel, Women’s Judo +78 kg
Ranked 2nd in the world by the International Judo Federation, Raz Hershko has added to Team LGBTQ’s growing medal count with a silver in Women’s Judo +78 kg. This is the judoka’s first individual Olympic medal!
Catherine Laudrup-Dufour, Denmark, Equestrian Dressage Team Grand Prix Special
Catherine Laudrup-Dufour took home a silver medal in the Dressage Team Grand Prix Special. This is her third Olympic appearance and first Olympic medal.
Sha’Carri Richardson, United States, Women’s Track & Field, 100m
Despite missing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Sha’Carri Richardson has worked and found success in Paris after winning silver in the finals of the Women’s 100m. This marks her first Olympic medal and the beginning of a long career as an Olympic athlete. Richardson will return to the track on August 8th to represent Team USA in the Women’s 4x100m relay.
Emma Twigg, New Zealand, Women’s Rowing Single Sculls
As she was cheered on by her wife and son from the stands, Emma Twigg brought New Zealand and Team LGBTQ a silver medal in Women’s Rowing Single Sculls. This is the rower’s second all-time Olympic medal!
Marianne Vos, Netherlands, Women’s Cycling Road Race
In a stunning twist, Marianne Vos (NED) won silver in Women’s Cycling Road Race. After cycling for nearly 100 miles, edged out Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky by just 4 inches to secure herself the silver. This is her fifth Olympic Games and first Olympic medal in 12 years!
Maria Perez, Spain, Women’s 20km Race Walk
On August 1st, María Pérez walked to a silver medal in the Paris Olympics. After barely missing the podium in Tokyo 2020, the Spanish race walker was ecstatic to make the podium in only her second Olympic Games. She’ll return to the road on August 7th to try for gold in the inaugural Mixed Marathon Walk Relay.
Michelle Kroppen, Germany, Archery Mixed Team
Germany’s Michelle Kroppen won her second Olympic medal, earning silver in Archery’s Mixed Team Event.
Team Brazil, Women’s Soccer
The Brazilian Women’s soccer team has no shortage of legends, many of whom are out LGBTQ athletes. Unfortunately, they were not able to bring their country a gold medal, as they fell to the USA 1-0 in the gold medal match. Out LGBTQ members of Team Brazil Women’s Soccer include: Lorena, Tarciane, Adriana, Lauren Leal, Luciana, Marta, Taina, and Tamires.
Haleigh Washington, United States, Women’s Volleyball
The reigning Olympic champions brought home the silver medal after a 3-0 loss against Italy in the finals of Women’s Volleyball.
BRONZE
Amandine Buchard, France, Women’s Judo -52kg
Clinching the bronze medal in Women’s -52 kg Judo at the Paris Olympics is Amandine Buchard and makes history as the first out LGBTQ athlete to win a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this year. This Saturday, August 3, she will defend Team France’s title in Mixed Team Judo!
TEAM USA, Women’s Rugby Sevens
On Tuesday, July 30th, Team USA Women’s Rugby Sevens won the bronze medal after a 14-12 comeback victory against Australia. Out LGBTQ members of Team USA Women’s Rugby Sevens include: Alev Kelter, Kris Thomas, Kristi Kirshe, Nicole Heavirland, Steph Rovetti, and Lauren Doyle.
Natalya Diehm, Australia, Cycling BMX Freestyle
Natalya Diehm has brought home bronze for Australia and Team LGBTQ in Women’s Cycling BMX Freestyle. Finishing the day with 88.80 points, she made history as the first woman from Australia to medal in Women’s Cycling BMX Freestyle.
Evy Leibfarth, United States, Women’s Canoe Slalom C-1
After narrowly qualifying for the finals, Evy Leibfarth claimed her first-ever Olympic medal with a bronze in Women’s Canoe Single. This is only Leibfarth’s second Olympic appearance.
Carl Hester, Great Britain, Equestrian Dressage Team Grand Prix Special
At 57-years-old, Carl Hester has won his fourth Olympic medal at his seventh Games by bringing home bronze in Dressage Team Grand Prix Special. Hester is renowned for being one of the longest-standing Olympic athletes for Team Great Britain.
Rafaela Silva, Brazil, Judo Mixed Team
After losing out on a final’s berth in Women’s Judo -57k kg, Silva helped Brazil win a bronze medal in the Judo Mixed team. This is the judoka’s second Olympic medal.
Beatriz Ferreira, Brazil, Women’s Boxing 60 kg
Tabea Schendekehl, Germany, Women’s Rowing Quadruple Scull
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Germany’s Tabea Schendekehl is one of the first out pansexual athletes to win an Olympic medal. On July 31st, she and her teammates rowed their way to a bronze medal in Women’s Rowing Quadruple Sculls.
Nesthy Petecio, Philippines, Boxing Women’s 57kg
Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio has added a second Olympic medal to her collection after earning a bronze medal in the 57kg division of women’s boxing. Despite hopes to secure a gold medal for the Philippines, Petecio fell to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in a 4-1 split decision.
Cindy Ngamba, Refugee Olympic Team, Boxing Women’s 75kg
When she was young, Cindy Ngamba fled to Bolton, England due to civil unrest in her home country of Cameroon. After coming out in 2022, she was granted asylum by the UK due to Cameroon’s anti-LGBTQ laws that would endanger her safety if she were to return. Now, fighting as a symbol for refugees everywhere, Cindy Ngamba has made history as the first athlete for the Refugee Olympic Team to win an Olympic medal.
Team Germany, Women’s Soccer
Germany defeated Spain in what many would consider an upset for the women’s soccer bronze medal, 1-0. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was essential to the team’s win with a save on a penalty kick that could have spelled disaster for Germany. Out LGBTQ members of Team Germany Women’s Soccer include: Ann-Katrin Berger, Felicitas Rauch, Lea Schuller and Sara Doorsoun.
Laura Aarts, Netherlands, Women’s Water Polo
Laura Aarts (second from bottom left) aided the reigning world champs, Austria, in winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics after defeating the USA 11-10 in the bronze medal match.
Team Brazil, Women’s Volleyball
Brazil defeated Turkey 3-1 in the bronze medal match of women’s volleyball. Out LGBTQ members of Team Brazil Women’s Volleyball include: Ana Carolina da Silva, Gabi Guimaraes, Roberta, and Rosamaria Montibeller.
Team Australia, Women’s Basketball
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Samantha Whitcomb and Amy Atwell helped end Australia’s decade-long Olympic medal drought, bringing the country a bronze in women’s basketball. This is Australia’s first Olympic medal since 2012, prior to that the team had won a medal in five straight Olympic Games.
This story will be updated live with additional wins throughout the Paris 2024 Olympics
Check out the OutSports LGBTQ Olympians database to filter by country, sport and competition category to learn about the hundreds of out LGBTQ athletes competing in Paris.
To ensure comprehensive and fair coverage of LGBTQ olympians, GLAAD’s 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Guide was created in collaboration with Athlete Ally and Pride House France, and produced by the GLAAD Media Institute, GLAAD’s training, research and consulting division. Learn more at GLAAD.org/Institute and support GLAAD’s work here.