A remarkable increase in the number of LGBTQ+ athletes participating openly in the 2024 Paris Olympics is breaking records and highlighting the event’s focus on diversity and inclusion. The Games have seen 191 athletes proudly identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and nonbinary, with the majority being women. This surpasses the previous record of 186 openly LGBTQ+ athletes at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and is expected to continue growing in future Games.
Jim Buzinski, co-founder of Outsports, noted the growing trend of athletes coming out and emphasizing the importance of visibility for representation. The journey towards LGBTQ+ visibility in the Olympics has made significant strides since Outsports began tracking numbers at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where only around five individuals were identified.
The Paris Olympics organizers have made diversity and inclusion central themes, including showcasing drag queens and refugee athletes in the opening ceremony, an initiative that drew criticism from some religious conservatives. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach emphasized inclusivity in his speech, stating, “In our Olympic world, we all belong.”
Paris, known as the “City of Love,” offers LGBTQ+ athletes from regions with severe restrictions on queer populations a chance to express their true selves during the Games. The Pride House, a staple at the Olympics since 2010, will host events on a boat on the Seine River, providing a platform for live music and speeches from Olympic organizers.
Despite the progress, security concerns persist for many athletes, prompting the adjustment of safety features on dating apps like Grindr, Bumble, and Tinder used by LGBTQ+ athletes to connect discreetly. Grindr has disabled location-based features in the Olympic village and official Games areas in Paris to protect athletes from potential outing by unauthorized individuals.
While the decision was made to ensure the safety and privacy of LGBTQ+ athletes, some backlash was observed on social media due to users facing difficulties accessing Grindr in the Olympic village. Jeremy Goupille, co-chair of the Pride House at the Paris Olympics, acknowledged the need to balance protection with the desire of athletes to connect and meet new people during the Games.
