About Half of Open Gay Athletes Win Olympics Medals
The Following Olympians are Out Gay! Who said gays didn’t go for sports? Someone who was ignorant about gays of coarse.
1. Matthew Mitcham — Diving — Australia
Age: 24
Twitter: @Matthew_Mitcham
Bio: Mitcham won gold at the 2008 Olympics. When fellow Australian Olympians Russell and Lauryn Mark of the shooting team complained that they couldn't stay together in the Olympic village, saying it was anti-heterosexual descrimination and that gay couples could stay together, Mitcham spoke out against them on Twitter. "Since there were only 11 out gays across all nations [in 2008], I’d hardly consider that a ton. Known couples are split anyway." He followed it up with, "The last thing I need is a sexually frustrated breeder with a shotgun being cross with me. No comment, thank you very much!!" So he's pretty funny. Also he loves memes.
Twitter: @Matthew_Mitcham
Bio: Mitcham won gold at the 2008 Olympics. When fellow Australian Olympians Russell and Lauryn Mark of the shooting team complained that they couldn't stay together in the Olympic village, saying it was anti-heterosexual descrimination and that gay couples could stay together, Mitcham spoke out against them on Twitter. "Since there were only 11 out gays across all nations [in 2008], I’d hardly consider that a ton. Known couples are split anyway." He followed it up with, "The last thing I need is a sexually frustrated breeder with a shotgun being cross with me. No comment, thank you very much!!" So he's pretty funny. Also he loves memes.
Image by Chris Hyde / Getty Images
2. Judith Arndt — Cycling — Germany
Age: 35 (turns 36 next week)
Twitter: N/A
Bio: Arndt is a two-time Olympic medalist (Bronze in 2000 and Silver in 2004) and has won multiple international cycling championships as well as national championships in Germany. Her and her partner, fellow cyclist Petra Rossner, have been together for over fifteen years.
Twitter: N/A
Bio: Arndt is a two-time Olympic medalist (Bronze in 2000 and Silver in 2004) and has won multiple international cycling championships as well as national championships in Germany. Her and her partner, fellow cyclist Petra Rossner, have been together for over fifteen years.
Image by KARIM JAAFAR / Getty Images
3. Marilyn Agliotti — Field Hockey — Netherlands
Age: 33
Twitter: @MarilynAngliotti
Bio: The field hockey star is a South African native, who began representing the Netherlands after a move to Holland. Agliotti was a member of the 2008 Olympic gold medal team, and is an outspoken advocate for more openness about the homosexuality in her sport.
Twitter: @MarilynAngliotti
Bio: The field hockey star is a South African native, who began representing the Netherlands after a move to Holland. Agliotti was a member of the 2008 Olympic gold medal team, and is an outspoken advocate for more openness about the homosexuality in her sport.
Image by Eduardo Di Baia / AP
4. Carole PĂ©on — Triathlon — France
Age: 33
Twitter:N/A
Bio: PĂ©on is an accomplished triathlete, who will be competing in her second Olympics in London. She is dating fellow French Olympian Jessica Harrison.
Twitter:N/A
Bio: PĂ©on is an accomplished triathlete, who will be competing in her second Olympics in London. She is dating fellow French Olympian Jessica Harrison.
Image by ARNOLD LIM / AP
5. Lisa Raymond — Tennis — USA
Age: 38
Twitter: @lisaraymond73
Bio: Lisa Raymond is one of the best doubles tennis players in the world. She's won 6 Doubles Grand Slams and 5 Mixed Doubles Grand Slams, and is currently a part of the number one ranked pair in the world. She's been romantically connected to fellow Tennis star and former doubles partner Rennae Stubbs in the past, but the two are no longer together.
Twitter: @lisaraymond73
Bio: Lisa Raymond is one of the best doubles tennis players in the world. She's won 6 Doubles Grand Slams and 5 Mixed Doubles Grand Slams, and is currently a part of the number one ranked pair in the world. She's been romantically connected to fellow Tennis star and former doubles partner Rennae Stubbs in the past, but the two are no longer together.
Image by Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP
6. Imke Duplitzer— Fencing — Germany
(Steffen Andritzke/The Epoch Times)
Age: 36 (turns 37 next week)
Twitter: @ImkeDuplitzer
Bio: Duplitzer was a part of the German Women's Epeé fencing team that won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics. She has the best official website ever.
Twitter: @ImkeDuplitzer
Bio: Duplitzer was a part of the German Women's Epeé fencing team that won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics. She has the best official website ever.
7. Edward Gal — Dressage — Netherlands
Age: 42
Twitter: @Edward_Gal
Bio: Gal and his current horse, Moorlands Totilas, are dominant in the international dressage world. At the 2010 World Championships they won three gold medals and are expected to fare well in London. Gal is in a long term relationship with Hans Peter Minderhoud, another equestrian from the Netherlands.
Twitter: @Edward_Gal
Bio: Gal and his current horse, Moorlands Totilas, are dominant in the international dressage world. At the 2010 World Championships they won three gold medals and are expected to fare well in London. Gal is in a long term relationship with Hans Peter Minderhoud, another equestrian from the Netherlands.
Image by ROBIN UTRECHT / Getty Images
8. Jessica Harrison — Triathlon — France
Age: 35
Twitter:@JessMako
Bio: Born and raised in England, Harrison became a naturalized French citizen to help her realize her dream of making the Olympics. In 2008 she did, coming in 12th at the Beijing Olympics. She's dating fellow French Olympian, Carole PĂ©on.
Twitter:@JessMako
Bio: Born and raised in England, Harrison became a naturalized French citizen to help her realize her dream of making the Olympics. In 2008 she did, coming in 12th at the Beijing Olympics. She's dating fellow French Olympian, Carole PĂ©on.
Image by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / Getty Images
9. Maartje Paumen — Field Hockey — Netherlands
Age: 33
Twitter: @MaartjePaumen
Bio: Paumen is among the best field hockey players in the world. Along with Marilyn Agliotti, she was on the 2008 Netherlands team that won gold at the Olympics. Paumen was named the 2011 Player of the Year at the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in Argentina.
Twitter: @MaartjePaumen
Bio: Paumen is among the best field hockey players in the world. Along with Marilyn Agliotti, she was on the 2008 Netherlands team that won gold at the Olympics. Paumen was named the 2011 Player of the Year at the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in Argentina.
Image by JUAN MABROMATA / Getty Images
10. Seimone Augustus — Basketball — USA
Age: 28
Twitter: @SeimoneAugustus
Bio: Augustus is a WNBA Champion, Finals MVP, three-time All Star, and former Rookie of the year. She played her college ball at LSU, where she led the Tigers to three straight Final Fours. She is currently engaged to marry her girlfriend, LaTaya Varner.
Twitter: @SeimoneAugustus
Bio: Augustus is a WNBA Champion, Finals MVP, three-time All Star, and former Rookie of the year. She played her college ball at LSU, where she led the Tigers to three straight Final Fours. She is currently engaged to marry her girlfriend, LaTaya Varner.
Image by Nick Wass / AP
11. Natalie Cook — Beach Volleyball — Australia
Age: 37
Twitter: N/A
Bio: Cook has long been one of the most accomplished beach volleyball players in the world. She won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and a gold at the 2000 games. She's married to Canadian beach volleyball player, Sarah Maxwell.
Twitter: N/A
Bio: Cook has long been one of the most accomplished beach volleyball players in the world. She won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and a gold at the 2000 games. She's married to Canadian beach volleyball player, Sarah Maxwell.
Image by Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
12. Jessica Landström — Soccer — Sweden
Age: 27
Twitter: @Landstrom_
Bio: Landström scored a decisive goal in the 2011 Women's World Cup against Columbia, but spent most of the team's run to third place coming off the bench. The London Olympics will be her first.
Twitter: @Landstrom_
Bio: Landström scored a decisive goal in the 2011 Women's World Cup against Columbia, but spent most of the team's run to third place coming off the bench. The London Olympics will be her first.
Image by Friedemann Vogel / Getty Images
13. Alexandra LacrabĂ©re — Handball — France
Age: 25
Twitter:N/A
Bio: London will mark Lecrabére's second Olympics, she was on the French team in China that failed to medal. She came out in Hand Action magazine last November.
Twitter:N/A
Bio: London will mark Lecrabére's second Olympics, she was on the French team in China that failed to medal. She came out in Hand Action magazine last November.
Image by RICARDO MORAES / Reuters
14. Megan Rapinoe — Soccer — USA
Age: 27
Twitter: @mPinoe
Bio: A member of the 2011 US Women's Soccer Team that nearly won the World Cup, Rapinoe created one of the team's signature highlights when she set Abby Wambach up with a beautiful desperation cross that led to the US's 122nd minute goal against Brazil to keep the US's World Cup hopes alive. Rapinoe came out of the closet earlier this month and revealed that she's been in a three-year relationship with an Australian soccer player.
Twitter: @mPinoe
Bio: A member of the 2011 US Women's Soccer Team that nearly won the World Cup, Rapinoe created one of the team's signature highlights when she set Abby Wambach up with a beautiful desperation cross that led to the US's 122nd minute goal against Brazil to keep the US's World Cup hopes alive. Rapinoe came out of the closet earlier this month and revealed that she's been in a three-year relationship with an Australian soccer player.
Image by Harry How / Getty Images
UPDATED: We missed a few in the initial version of this list. We've since added those that have been brought to our attention If you know of anyone else who is missing, please let us know in the comments.
15. Carl Hester — Dressage — Great Britain
Age: 45
Twitter: @HesterDressage
Bio: Hester rode for the British dressage team that won the gold at the 2011 European Dressage Championship. He is one of the top riders in the world.
Twitter: @HesterDressage
Bio: Hester rode for the British dressage team that won the gold at the 2011 European Dressage Championship. He is one of the top riders in the world.
Image by Clive Mason / Getty Images
16. Mayssa Pessoa — Handball — Brazil
Age: 28
Twitter: @MayssaPessoa
Bio: Pessoa is a top goalkeeper in the world of handball. She plays professionally in France.
Twitter: @MayssaPessoa
Bio: Pessoa is a top goalkeeper in the world of handball. She plays professionally in France.
17. Hedvig Lindahl — Soccer — Sweden
Age: 29
Twitter: @Hedvig_Lindahl
Bio: Lindahl is a tok goalkeeper in Sweden's professional women's soccer league. She's played internationally for almost 10 years. She was on the Swedish team that won Silver at the World Championships in 2003.
Twitter: @Hedvig_Lindahl
Bio: Lindahl is a tok goalkeeper in Sweden's professional women's soccer league. She's played internationally for almost 10 years. She was on the Swedish team that won Silver at the World Championships in 2003.
Image by JOHANNES EISELE / Getty Images
18. Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel — Field Hockey — Netherlands
Age: 25
Twitter: N/A
Bio: Dirkse van den Heuvel is an up and coming field hockey star in the Netherlands. London will mark her first Olympics as she teams up with fellow out bringing a second straight gold medal to the Netherlands.
Twitter: N/A
Bio: Dirkse van den Heuvel is an up and coming field hockey star in the Netherlands. London will mark her first Olympics as she teams up with fellow out bringing a second straight gold medal to the Netherlands.
Image by ENRIQUE MARCARIAN / Reuters
19. Rikke Skov — Handball — Denmark
Age: 31
Twitter: N/A
Bio: Rikke Skov was a member of the 2004 Olympic handball team that won gold for Denmark. She's won many awards for her play on both the international and club levels. In 2009 she retired from the sport, before changing her mind, and returning to the national team.
Twitter: N/A
Bio: Rikke Skov was a member of the 2004 Olympic handball team that won gold for Denmark. She's won many awards for her play on both the international and club levels. In 2009 she retired from the sport, before changing her mind, and returning to the national team.
Image by Bela Szandelszky / AP
20. Lisa Dahlkvist — Soccer — Sweden
Age: 25
Twitter: @LisaDahlkvist
Bio: Dahlkvist is a young midfielder for Sweden. She played on their 2011 World Cup team. She's been out since 2008.
Twitter: @LisaDahlkvist
Bio: Dahlkvist is a young midfielder for Sweden. She played on their 2011 World Cup team. She's been out since 2008.
Image by THOMAS KIENZLE / Getty Images
21. UPDATE: Karen Hultzer — Archery — South Africa
Age: 46
Twitter:@karenhultzer
Bio: Hultzer came out publicly during the 2012 London Olympics. She told OutSports:
Twitter:@karenhultzer
Bio: Hultzer came out publicly during the 2012 London Olympics. She told OutSports:
I am an archer, middle aged and a lesbian. I am also cranky before my first cup of coffee. None of these aspects define who I am, they are simply part of me. I am fortunate that my sexual identity is not an issue, and I don’t suffer the level of discrimination and violence that black lesbians in South Africa do. I look forward to the day when this is a non-issue and as relevant as my eye color or favorite sushi.
Image by Paul Gilham / Getty Images
22. Kim Lammers — Field Hockey — Netherlands
Image by CHRIS HELGREN / Reuters
23. Ina-Yoko Teutenberg — Cycling — Germany
Image by Bryn Lennon / Getty Images
Bonus: Pia Sundhage — Soccer Coach — USA
Image by Colin E. Braley / AP
Nearly half, 43%, of openly gay athletes have won a medal at the London Olympic Games.
In comparison to the United States, only 18% of 530 American athletes have graced the podium so far.
Out of the 2
3 openly gay athletes, comprising of 20 women and three men, 10 of them have won a medal solo or in a group.
If they were Team LGBT, they would have won four gold medals, one silver, and two bronze between them.
This means they would be number 19 in the official rankings, beating countries like Spain, Brazil, and Canada.
Of course these competitors are likely only a fraction of the LGBT people really taking part at the Games. If all of them were open, then Team LGBT could be much higher in the rankings.
South African Karen Hultzer, who competed in the archery women’s individual event, confirmed her sexuality to reporters during the Games.
She said: ‘I am an archer, middle aged and a lesbian. I am also cranky before my first cup of coffee. None of these aspects define who I am, they are simply part of me.
‘I am fortunate that my sexual identity is not an issue, and I don’t suffer the level of discrimination and violence that black lesbians in South Africa do. I look forward to the day when this is a non-issue and as relevant as my eye color or favorite sushi.’
Australian diver Matthew Mitcham, one of the most high profile gay athletes, has shared similar sentiments to Hultzer.
'Ideally I would like one day for sexuality to be as unimportant and uninteresting as hair color, or eye color or even just gender in general,’ he said. ‘One day it will get to that.’
But the former Olympic champion, who narrowly missed out on the diving final, said that day was not here yet.
He said: ‘But until it is easy for sports people to come out without fear of persecution or fear of lost sponsorship income and stuff like that, or fear of being comfortable in the team environment, I don't mind attention being brought to my sexuality in the hope it might make other people feel more comfortable.'
The Dutch field hockey team may have won just one gold medal, but has the most openly lesbian players, with Marilyn Agliotti, Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel, Kim Lammers, and Maartje Paumen helping the Netherlands’ team to win the top prize.
American Seimone Augustus helped the U.S women’s basketball team to their fifth consecutive victory, with an 86-50 win over France.
German Judith Arndt, the first solo gay athlete to win a medal, won silver in the cycling time trial.
Apart from Mitcham, the only male out athletes Carl Hester and Edward Gal won gold and bronze respectively in the equestrian team dressage events.
American soccer midfielder Megan Rapinoe was integral in the US women’s team in their gold win, finishing with four assists and scoring three goals. Also, US tennis star Lisa Raymond won bronze in the doubles event.
Rapinoe, who came out earlier this year, said it was more difficult for male athletes than for women to be open about their sexuality.
‘I think there's a lot of gay women in sports, and it's widely known in the team, they can live a pretty open lifestyle without being open in the media,’ she said. ‘But I think for men unfortunately it's not the same climate in the locker room.’
London 2012 had double the amount of openly lesbian and gay athletes than Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, which had 10 and 11 respectively.
Estimates show LGBT people make up anything from 1% to 10% of the population, so it is clear the 23 athletes are not the only ones.
OutSports co-founder Jim Buzinski has said: ‘It’s an absurdly low number. Compared to the arts, politics or business worlds, sports is still the final closet in society.’
Rapinoe said coming out had bettered her game, as seen when she scored two goals for the US soccer team in the semi-final.
‘I guess it seems like a weight off my shoulders,’ she said. ‘I've been playing a lot better than I've ever played before. I think I'm just enjoying myself and I'm happy.’
Gay Games London 2018 bid co-chair Jonathan Harbourne is spearheading the hope to provide a lasting LGBT legacy from the London 2012 Olympics. Check out his comment piece for Gay Star News here.
Love And Pride Sale! Up to 70% OFF on Selected Products Buy Now! Special offers and sales for all products! Up to 70% off, Free Shipping! Buy Now!||||
Comments