If LGBTQ athletes at the Tokyo Olympics were their own country, they would have ranked seventh in the world, but no Japanese athletes would have been among them.
With a record number of out LGBTQ athletes, and the first-ever transgender competitor, the Tokyo Games arguably opened the door to greater inclusivity in future.
LGBT athletes shine at Tokyo Games, set sterling example for more inclusive society
LGBT athletes shine at Tokyo Games,.
A record number of athletes who openly identify as LGBT are competing at the Tokyo Games, which are being conducted under the banner of “diversity and harmony.”
Their inspiring showing at the Games has supporters cheering not only their athletic achievements, but also their contributions toward eliminating discrimination and prejudice against sexual minorities in a wider society that has been slower to embrace such individuals outside of the sporting arena.
■ Empowering example
“I feel incredibly proud to say that I’m a gay man and also an Olympic champion,” said Thomas Daley, 27, during a press conference after winning gold for Great Britain in the synchronized 10-meter platform dive on July 26.
July 23, 2021
published at 4:36 AMReuters
The Olympic Rings are seen in front of the skyline during sunset one night ahead of the official opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on July 22, 2021.
Reuters
TOKYO, July 22 - More than 160 openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer athletes are due to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making this year s Games the most inclusive ever.
That has put a focus on host nation Japan, which activists say is out of step with much of the rest of the world, having not seen the same sweeping social change that made same-sex marriage and greater inclusion a reality in many countries.
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