Difference between revisions of "LGBTQ Athletes Who Have Won Olympic Gold"

Latest revision as of 14:07, 15 September 2024

Athletes consider winning the Olympic Gold the pinnacle of success. It confirms that they are at the very top of their sport and the best in the world. The global publicity surrounding this achievement is unmatched by any other sporting endeavor.

For LGBTQ athletes, an Olympic gold medal can mean even more. It can represent the fact that achieving the very best in their pursuit is not dependent on sexual orientation, but rather athletic ability and prowess.

There is no shortage of evidence of this fact throughout history. The earliest LGBTQ athletes that we have identified to win Olympic was in 1932 with lesbians Stanisława Walasiewicz of Poland in the 100m sprint and Babe Didrikson Zaharias of the United States in javelin and hurdles. Of particular note, Didrikson Zaharias went on to be declared the Female Athlete of the Twentieth Century by the Associated Press. As well, Walasiewicz was determined to be intersex after an autopsy on her death.

The best performance has come from Great Britain's Lee Pearson who has won an astounding eleven gold medals in equestrian events. This is followed by Australia's Ian Thorpe who won 5 golds in swimming events. Four medals have been won by Americans Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi and by Canadians Jayna Hefford, Charline Labonte and Caroline Ouellette. Several of the athletes listed below are notable for being the most decorated athletes in their country's history!

Our survey has found that the significant majority of LGBTQ Olympic gold winning athletes consists of 74 per cent lesbians (51) and 26 per cent gay (18) at the time of winning their medals. This preponderance of out lesbian athletes continues today in all professional sports - lesbians are much more comfortable with identifying their sexual preference than gay men. The vast majority of LGBTQ athletes were out at the time of winning their medals though several revealed their sexual orientation later in life. History has yet to be made with a transgender athlete, though Caitlyn Jenner's life story should be noted with her winning gold prior to transitioning.

It is also interesting to note that certain countries tend to excel in particular sports. Australia dominates in water sports; Canada in ice hockey and figure skating; Denmark in handball; The Netherlands in field hockey; and the United States in basketball and track.

We have identified the following LGBTQ athletes to win Olympic gold. Simply click on their names to reveal their fascinating biographies.

Australia

• Alyson Annan, field hockey; 1996 and 2000
• Nikki Ayers, rowing; 2024
• Natalie Cook, beach volleyball; 2000
• Ellia Green, rugby, 2016
• Daniel Kowalski, swimming; 2000
• Matthew Mitcham, diving; 2008
• Ian Thorpe, swimming; 2000x3, 2004x2
• Sharni Williams, rugby; 2016

Austria

• Lara Vadlau, sailing; 2024

Belgium

• Marieke Vervoort, track & field; 2012

Brazil

• Ana Marcela Cunha, marathon swimming; 2021
• Alana Maldonado, judo; 2021
• Ana Patricia, beach volleyball; 2024
• Jackie Silva, beach volleyball; 1996
• Rafaela Silva, judo; 2016

Canada

• Gillian Apps, ice hockey; 2006, 2010, and 2014
• Kadeisha Buchanan, football/soccer; 2021
• Jayna Hefford, ice hockey; 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014
• Brianne Jenner, ice hockey; 2014
• Stephanie Labbe, football/soccer; 2021
• Charline Labonte, ice hockey; 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014
• Marnie McBean, rowing; 1992x2 and 1996
• Erin McLeod, football/soccer; 2021
• Caroline Ouellette, ice hockey; 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014
• Brian Pockar, figure skating; 1980
• Marie-Philip Poulin, ice hockey; 2010, 2014, 2022
• Rebecca Quinn, football/soccer; 2021
• Eric Radford, figure skating; 2018
• Kailen Sheridan, football/soccer; 2021
• Laura Stacey, ice hockey; 2022
• Mark Tewksbury, swimming; 1982
• Sarah Vaillancourt, ice hockey; 2006 and 2010

Denmark

• Anja Andersen, handball; 1996
• Camilla Andersen, handball; 1996 and 2000
• Lotte Kiaerskou, handball; 2000 and 2004
• Rikke Skov, handball; 2004

France

• Amandine Buchard, judo (team); 2024
• Guillaume Cizeron, figure skating; 2022
• Sandra Forgues, canoeing; 1996
• Alexandra Lacrabere, handball; 2021
• Amandine Leynaud, handball; 2021
• Marie Patouillet, cycling; 2024
• Jeremy Stravius, swimming; 2012

Germany

• Karin Buttner-Janz, gymnastics; 1972
• Petra Rossner, cycling; 1992
• Frederic Wandres, equestrian; 2024

Great Britain

• Nicola Adams, boxing; 2012 and 2016
• Robin Cousins, figure skating; 1980
• John Curry, figure skating; 1976
• Tom Daley, synchronized divind; 2021
• Carl Hester, equestrian; 2012
• Kelly Holmes, track; 800m, 1500m, 2004
• Lee Pearson, equestrian; 2000x3, 2004x3, 2008x3, 2012, and 2016
• Lauren Rowles, rowing; 2016 and 2021
• Emma Wiggs, canoeing; 2016, 2020, 2024

Greece

• Ioannis Melissanidis, gymnastics; 1996

Ireland

• Katie-George Dunlevy, cycling; 2021
• Kellie Harrington, boxing; 2021

Israel

• Moran Samuel, rowing; 2024

Italy

• Alice Bellandi, judo; 2024

New Zealand

• Blyth Tait, equestrian; 1996
• Emma Twigg, rowing; 2021
• Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, rugby; 2020, 2024

Norway

• Vibeke Skofterud, cross country skiing; 2010

Poland

• Stanisława Walasiewicz, track; 1932

Puerto Rico

• Gigi Fernandez, tennis; 1992 and 1996

Slovakia

• Ondrej Nepela, figure skating; 1972

Sweden

• Sandra Naeslund, ski cross; 2022
• Anja Parson, downhill skiing; 2006
• Pia Sundhage, soccer/football; 2008 and 2012

The Netherlands

• Marilyn Agliotti, field hockey; 2008 and 2012
• Chantal de Bruijn, field hockey; 2006
• Diede de Groot, tennis; 2020
• Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel, field hockey; 2012
• Kim Lammers, field hockey; 2012
• Maartje Paumen, field hockey; 2008 and 2012
• Anne Veenendaal, field hockey; 2024
• Marianne Vos, Cycling; 2012 road, 2008 Track
• Ireen Wust, speed skating; 2006, 2010, and 2018

United States

• Jen Armbruster, goalball; 1996
• Seimone Augustus, basketball; 2008 and 2012
• Jennifer Azzi, basketball; 1996
• Sue Bird, basketball; 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016
• Brian Boitano, figure skating; 1988
• Kerron Clement, track; 2008 and 2012
• Christie Raleigh Crossley, swimming; 2024
• Hailey Danz, triathlon; 2024
• Babe Didrikson Zaharias, javelin and hurdles; 1932
• Stefanie Dolson, basketball; 2021
• Meghan Duggan, ice hockey; 2018
• Abby Dunkin, basketball; 2016
• Brittney Griner, basketball; 2016, 2020
• Bruce Hayes, swimming; 1984
• Angela Hucles, football/soccer; 2004 and 2008
• Bruce Jenner/Caitlyn Jenner, decathlon; 1976
• Allison Jones, downhill skiing; 2006
• Greg Louganis, diving; 1984
• Harriet Metcalf, rowing; 1984
• Angel McCoughtry, basketball; 2012
• Asya Miller, goalball and discuss; 2000 and 2008
• Megan Rapinoe, football/soccer; 2012
• Sha’Carri Richardson, 4x100m relay; 2024
• Louise Ritter, high jump; 1988
• Angela Ruggiero, ice hockey; 1998
• Lauren Scruggs, fencing: 2024
• Briana Scurry, football/soccer; 1996 and 2004
• Helen Stephens, sprinting; 1936
• Breanna Stewart, basketball; 2016 and 2021
• Sheryl Swoopes, basketball; 1996, 2000 and 2005
• Diana Taurasi, basketball; 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016
• Abby Wambach, football/soccer; 2004 and 2012
• Stephanie Wheeler, basketball; 2004 and 2008
• Chris Witty, speed skating; 1998 and 2002

Venezuela

• Yulimar Rojas, Triple Jump; 2021

See Also

• World Sports Champions Who Identify as LGBTQ
• LGBTQ Professional and Amateur Sports Coaches
• LGBTQ Sports Referees and Umpires
• LGBTQ Personal Trainers and Lifestyle Coaches
• LGBTQ Cyclists
• LGBTQ Tennis
• LGBTQ Figure Skaters
• Lesbian Football/Soccer Players
• Professional LGBTQ Mixed Martial Artists
• The Community of LGBTQ Boxers
• LGBTQ Presence in the Equestrian World
• The World of LGBTQ Golf
• LGBTQ Sports Management
• LGBTQ Track & Field
• Lesbian Professional Basketball Players and Coaches

Further Reading/Research

• http://inmagazine.ca/2018/02/important-moments-history-lgbt-olympians/
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/brief-history-openly-gay-olympians-180968125/

Share on Facebook