In the 2024 Paris Olympics, a record-breaking 195 out LGBTQ+ athletes competed across 32 different sports, significantly increasing from the 186 who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Games. These athletes did more than just represent — they excelled, with 65 of them, approximately 33%, securing at least one medal. This achievement nearly doubles the percentage of out LGBTQ+ athletes who medaled in Tokyo.

If these 195 out LGBTQ+ athletes had competed as a unified team, "Team LGBTQ" would have been a powerhouse in its own right. Together, they amassed an impressive total of 42 Olympic medals: 15 gold, 13 silver, and 14 bronze. Had Team LGBTQ been a country, it would have finished the Olympics with the seventh-highest medal count, tying with the Netherlands for the total number of golds. Remarkably, Team LGBTQ would have outperformed all countries that criminalize LGBTQ+ individuals.

The countries represented by out LGBTQ+ medalists include Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Refugee Olympic Team, Spain, and the USA. Among these, the USA and Brazil particularly stood out, with the USA boasting a total of 19 LGBTQ+ medalists.

The success of LGBTQ+ athletes at the Paris Olympics is not just a tally of medals — it is a powerful statement of visibility, resilience, and the ever-growing presence of LGBTQ+ athletes on the global stage. As we celebrate these extraordinary achievements, we are reminded of the crucial importance of representation in sports and the progress that still lies ahead.