Difference between revisions of "World Sports Champions Who Identify as LGBTQ"

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[[File:worldchampions.jpg|200px|thumb|left]]
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To achieve the status of world champion in a sport is to achieve the pinnacle of success.  This list of out LGBTQ individuals have achieved that level and recognition.  The diversity of sports and countries represented reveals that competitive superiority in athletics is not dependent on sexual orientation. 
 +
 +
It is notable that world champions broadly exists across the LGBTQ spectrum.  While many of these individuals did not reveal their sexual orientation during competition, their presence creates a cadre of role models and mentors to others who either have come out or are considering the process of doing so.  Many of the individuals who came out prior to winning their world championship status have stated that coming out mentally freed them to better compete by removing the pressure of hiding that aspect of themselves.  Those who came out subsequent to their honour discuss the hyper-aggressive culture of bias and homophobia that pressured them to stay in the closet, as well as the financial risk of being publicly out (through loss of sponsorship, for example). 
 +
 +
As world champions, these individuals have become recognized individuals nationally and often internationally.  They have received many additional honours and awards as a result.  Many of them broke down regional barriers and stereotypes, both when they competed and when they were declared victors. 
 +
 +
Given all of this, why can there not be a more concerted effort by the group themselves to join together to take a stand on homophobia in sports around the world? 
 +
 +
Note that this list of individuals does not include Olympic gold medal athletes, but rather focuses on those who have competed in organized World Championship competitions.  We have identified individuals from Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, Scotland, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Puerto Rico, and Belgium.  Simply click on their names to access more information on their fascinating biographies.
 +
 +
'''Arm Wrestling'''
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 +
* [[Dot Jones]], United States
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 +
'''Badminton'''
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 +
* [[Kamilla Rytter Juhl]], Denmark
 +
 +
'''Baseball'''
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 +
* [[Haylie McCleney]], United States
 +
 
'''Basketball'''
 
'''Basketball'''
  
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* [[Jennifer Azzi]], United States
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* [[Sue Bird]], United States
 +
* [[Carol Blazejowski]], United States
 +
* [[Candice Dupree]], United States
 +
* [[Desiree Miller]], United States
 +
* [[Cindy Ouellet]], United States
 +
* [[Breanna Stewart]], United States
 
* [[Sheryl Swoopes]], United States
 
* [[Sheryl Swoopes]], United States
 +
* [[Penny Taylor]], Australia
 +
* [[Stephanie Wheeler]], United States
 +
* [[Laurie Williams]], Great Britain
 +
 +
'''Bowling'''
 +
 +
* [[Scott Norton]], United States
  
 
'''Boxing'''
 
'''Boxing'''
  
 +
* [[Michele Aboro]], Great Britain
 +
* [[Nicola Adams]], Great Britain
 +
* [[Beatriz Ferreira]], Brazil
 
* [[Emile Griffith]], United States
 
* [[Emile Griffith]], United States
 +
* [[Kellie Harrington]], Ireland
 +
* [[Christy Martin]], United States
 +
* [[Nesthy Petecio]], The Philippines
 +
* [[Lauren Price]], Great Britain
 +
 +
'''Canoe'''
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 +
* [[Sandra Forgues]], France
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* [[Emma Wiggs]], Great Britain
 +
 +
'''Cricket'''
 +
 +
* [[Katherine Brunt]]
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* [[Megan Schutt]]
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* [[Natalie Sciver]]
 +
 +
'''Curling'''
 +
 +
* [[Bruce Mouat]], Scotland
  
 
'''Cycling'''
 
'''Cycling'''
  
 
* [[Judith Arndt]], Germany
 
* [[Judith Arndt]], Germany
 +
* [[Camille Balanche]], Switzerland
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* [[Perris Benegas]], United States
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* [[Katie-George Dunlevy]], Ireland
 
* [[Missy Giove]], United States
 
* [[Missy Giove]], United States
 +
* [[Crystal Lane-Wright]], Great Britain
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* [[Rachel McKinnon]], Canada
 
* [[Graeme Obree]], Scotland
 
* [[Graeme Obree]], Scotland
 +
* [[Marie Patouillet]], France
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* [[Hannah Roberts]], United States
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* [[Petra Rossner]], Germany
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* [[Linda Villumsen]], New Zealand
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* [[Marianne Vos]], The Netherlands
  
−
'''Diving''
+
'''Diving'''
  
 
* [[Tom Daley]], Great Britain
 
* [[Tom Daley]], Great Britain
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'''Equestrian'''
 
'''Equestrian'''
  
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* [[Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour]], Denmark
 
* [[Lee Pearson]], Great Britain
 
* [[Lee Pearson]], Great Britain
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 +
'''Fencing'''
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* [[Tommaso Marini]], Italy
  
 
'''Field Hockey'''
 
'''Field Hockey'''
  
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* [[Alyson Annan]], Australia
 
* [[Chantal de Bruijn]], The Netherlands
 
* [[Chantal de Bruijn]], The Netherlands
−
* [[Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel], The Netherlands
+
* [[Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel]], The Netherlands
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* [[Kim Lammers]], The Netherlands
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* [[Anne Veenendaal]], The Netherlands
  
−
'''Football/Soccer]]
+
'''Football/Soccer'''
  
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* [[Linda Bresonik]], Germany
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* [[Tierna Davidson]], United States
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* [[Jill Ellis]], United States
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* [[Adrianna Franch]], United States
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* [[Sami Grisafe]], United States
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* [[Ashlyn Harris]], United States
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* [[Lauren Hemp]], Great Britain
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* [[Jenni Hermoso]], Spain
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* [[Ursula Holl]], Germany
 
* [[Sarah Huffman]], United States
 
* [[Sarah Huffman]], United States
 +
* [[Steffi Jones]], Germany
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* [[Ali Krieger]], United States
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* [[Linda Medalen]], Norway
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* [[Kelley O'Hara]], United States
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* [[Megan Rapinoe]], United States
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* [[Briana Scurry]], United States
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'''Golf'''
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* [[Lana Lawless]], United States
  
 
'''Gymnastics'''
 
'''Gymnastics'''
  
−
* [[Karin Buttner]], Germany
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* [[Karin Buttner-Janz]], Germany
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* [[Danell Leyva]], United States
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* [[Arthur Nory]], Brazil
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* [[Alexander Renkert]], United States
  
 
'''Handball'''
 
'''Handball'''
  
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* [[Anja Andersen]], Denmark
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* [[Camilla Andersen]], Denmark
 
* [[Alexandra Lacrabere]],  France
 
* [[Alexandra Lacrabere]],  France
  
 
'''Ice Hockey'''
 
'''Ice Hockey'''
  
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* [[Gillian Apps]], Canada
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* [[Julie Chu]], United States
 
* [[Nancy Drolet]], Canada
 
* [[Nancy Drolet]], Canada
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* [[Meghan Duggan]], United States
 
* [[Jayna Hefford]], United States
 
* [[Jayna Hefford]], United States
 
* [[Kathleen Kauth]], United States
 
* [[Kathleen Kauth]], United States
 
* [[Charline Labonte]], Canada
 
* [[Charline Labonte]], Canada
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* [[Marie-Philip Poulin]], Canada
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* [[Caroline Ouellette]], Canada
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* [[Angela Ruggiero]], United States
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* [[Laura Stacey]], Canada
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* [[Sarah Vaillancourt]], Canada
  
 
'''Ice Skating'''
 
'''Ice Skating'''
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* [[Ondrej Nepela]], Slovakia
 
* [[Ondrej Nepela]], Slovakia
 
* [[Brian Orser]], Canada
 
* [[Brian Orser]], Canada
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* [[Eric Radford]], Canada
 
* [[Ronald Robertson]], United States
 
* [[Ronald Robertson]], United States
 
* [[Johnny Weir]], United States
 
* [[Johnny Weir]], United States
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'''Jiu-Jitsu'''
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* [[William Seth-Wenzel]], Sweden
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'''Judo'''
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* [[Irene de Kok]], The Netherlands
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* [[Rafaela Silva]], Brazil
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'''Race Walking'''
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* [[Maria Perez]], Spain
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'''Rock Climbing'''
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* [[Alex Johnson]], United States
  
 
'''Rowing'''
 
'''Rowing'''
  
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* [[Nikki Ayers]], Australia
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* [[Robbie Manson]], New Zealand
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* [[Lauren Rowles]], Great Britain
 
* [[Gearoid Towey]], Ireland
 
* [[Gearoid Towey]], Ireland
  
−
'''Skiing''
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'''Rugby'''
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* [[Louisa Wall]], New Zealand
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* [[Portia Woodman-Wickliffe]], New Zealand
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'''Sailing'''
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* [[Jolanta Ogar]], Poland
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 +
'''Skiing'''
  
 
* [[Nat Brown]], United States
 
* [[Nat Brown]], United States
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* [[Brian Olsen]], United States
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* [[Anja Parson]], Sweden
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* [[Erik Schinegger]], Austria
  
 
'''Speed Skating'''
 
'''Speed Skating'''
  
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* [[Brittany Bowe]], United States
 +
* [[Sanne van Kerkhof]], The Netherlands
 
* [[Chris Witty]], United States
 
* [[Chris Witty]], United States
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'''Squash'''
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* [[Carin Clonda]], Australia
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* [[Jenny Duncalf]], Great Britain
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* [[Rachael Grinham]], Australia
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'''Surfing'''
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* [[Keala Kennelly]], United States
  
 
'''Swimming'''
 
'''Swimming'''
  
 
* [[Mark Chatfield]], United States
 
* [[Mark Chatfield]], United States
 +
* [[Ana Marcela Cunha]], Brazil
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* [[Mark Foster]], Great Britain
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* [[Theresa Goh]], Singapore
 
* [[Daniel Kowalski]], Australia
 
* [[Daniel Kowalski]], Australia
 +
* [[Jeremy Stravius]], France
 
* [[Ian Thorpe]], Australia
 
* [[Ian Thorpe]], Australia
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 +
'''Table Tennis'''
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* [[Kelly Sibley]], Great Britain
  
 
'''Tennis'''
 
'''Tennis'''
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'''Track & Field'''
 
'''Track & Field'''
  
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* [[Shawn Barber]], Canada - Pole Vaulting
 
* [[Kajsa Bergqvist]], Sweden - High Jump
 
* [[Kajsa Bergqvist]], Sweden - High Jump
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* [[Sabine Braun]], Germany - Heptathlete
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* [[Kerron Clement]], United States - Hurdles
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* [[Colin Jackson]], Great Britain - Hurdles
 
* [[Harriet Metcalf]], United States
 
* [[Harriet Metcalf]], United States
 +
* [[Steffi Nerius]], Germany - Javelin
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* [[Yulimar Rojas]], Venezuela - triple jump
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* [[Caster Semenya]], South Africa - track
 +
* [[Marieke Vervoort]], Belgium - track
  
 
'''Volleyball'''
 
'''Volleyball'''
  
 
* [[Larissa Franca]], Brazil
 
* [[Larissa Franca]], Brazil
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* [[Jackie Silva]], Brazil
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'''Weightlifting'''
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* [[Janae Marie Kroc]], United States
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* [[Chris Morgan]], Great Britain
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'''Wrestling'''
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* [[AC Mack]], United States
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==See Also==
 +
 +
* [[LGBTQ Athletes Who Have Won Olympic Gold]]
 +
* [[LGBTQ Professional and Amateur Sports Coaches]]
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* [[LGBTQ Sports Referees and Umpires]]
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* [[LGBTQ Personal Trainers and Lifestyle Coaches]]
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* [[LGBTQ Cyclists]]
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* [[LGBTQ Tennis]]
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* [[LGBTQ Figure Skaters]]
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* [[Lesbian Football/Soccer Players]]
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* [[Professional LGBTQ Mixed Martial Artists]]
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* [[The Community of LGBTQ Boxers]]
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* [[LGBTQ Presence in the Equestrian World]]
 +
* [[The World of LGBTQ Golf]]
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* [[LGBTQ Sports Management]]
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* [[LGBTQ Track & Field]]
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* [[Lesbian Professional Basketball Players and Coaches]]
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Latest revision as of 13:55, 15 September 2024

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To achieve the status of world champion in a sport is to achieve the pinnacle of success. This list of out LGBTQ individuals have achieved that level and recognition. The diversity of sports and countries represented reveals that competitive superiority in athletics is not dependent on sexual orientation.

It is notable that world champions broadly exists across the LGBTQ spectrum. While many of these individuals did not reveal their sexual orientation during competition, their presence creates a cadre of role models and mentors to others who either have come out or are considering the process of doing so. Many of the individuals who came out prior to winning their world championship status have stated that coming out mentally freed them to better compete by removing the pressure of hiding that aspect of themselves. Those who came out subsequent to their honour discuss the hyper-aggressive culture of bias and homophobia that pressured them to stay in the closet, as well as the financial risk of being publicly out (through loss of sponsorship, for example).

As world champions, these individuals have become recognized individuals nationally and often internationally. They have received many additional honours and awards as a result. Many of them broke down regional barriers and stereotypes, both when they competed and when they were declared victors.

Given all of this, why can there not be a more concerted effort by the group themselves to join together to take a stand on homophobia in sports around the world?

Note that this list of individuals does not include Olympic gold medal athletes, but rather focuses on those who have competed in organized World Championship competitions. We have identified individuals from Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, Scotland, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Puerto Rico, and Belgium. Simply click on their names to access more information on their fascinating biographies.

Arm Wrestling

Badminton

Baseball

Basketball

Bowling

Boxing

Canoe

Cricket

Curling

Cycling

Diving

Equestrian

Fencing

Field Hockey

Football/Soccer

Golf

Gymnastics

Handball

Ice Hockey

Ice Skating

Jiu-Jitsu

Judo

Race Walking

Rock Climbing

Rowing

Rugby

Sailing

Skiing

Speed Skating

Squash

Surfing

Swimming

Table Tennis

Tennis

Track & Field

Volleyball

Weightlifting

Wrestling

See Also


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