Rio de Janeiro: The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio will have a record number of publicly out lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex athletes, as per Outsports.
With three weeks to go before the Opening Ceremony, Outsports — along with Olympic and LGBT historian Tony Scupham Bilton — have identified at least 33 out athletes who will compete, as well as three coaches. Several out athletes have also qualified for the Paralympics.
There are a record 10 publicly out male athletes, though none are from the U.S. There is also one married couple, Helen Richardson-Walsh and Kate Richardson-Walsh, British field hockey players.
The 2012 Summer Games in London featured 23 out LGBTI athletes.
At least three publicly out head coaches will also be in Rio. Alyson Annan coaches the Dutch women’s field hockey team, Jill Ellis is the head coach of the United States women's soccer team and Pia Sundhage is head coach of Sweden's women's soccer team. Gold medal Olympic diver Greg Louganis will travel with the United States diving team as an official athlete mentor, the same role he held in 2012.
A number of LGBTI athletes will also compete in the Paramlympics after the Olympics. Angela Madsen will compete for Team USA in track and field, and Jen Armbruster and Aysa Miller will compete for the USA in team goalball. Lee Pearson is expected to return to the Olympics in equestrian.
The list of the 33 courageous people includes:
Nicola Adams (Great Britain, Boxing)
Seimone Augustus (USA, Basketball)
Tom Bosworth (Great Britain, Race Walk)
Dutee Chand (India, Track & Field)
Tom Daley (Great Britain, Diving)
Carlien Dirske van den Heuvel (Netherlands, Fields Hockey)
Lisa Dahlkvist (Sweden, Soccer)
Katie Duncan (New Zealand, Soccer)
Nilla Fisher (Sweden, Soccer)
Larissa Franca (Brazil, Beach Volleyball)
Edward Gal (Netherlands, Equestrian)
Brittney Griner (USA, Basketball)
Carl Hester (Great Britain, Equestrian)
Michelle Heyman (Australia, Soccer)
Stephanie Labbe (Canada, soccer)
Alexandra Lacrabere (France, Handball)
Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden, Soccer)
Ari-Pekka Liukkonen (Finland, Swimming)
Robbie Manson (New Zealand, Rowing)
Hans Peter Minderhoud (Netherlands, Equestrian)
Ian Matos (Brazi, Diving)
Angel McCoughtry (USA, Basketball)
Marie-Eve Nault (Canada, Soccer)
Ashley Nee (USA, Kayak Whitewater Slalom)
Maartje Paumen (Netherlands, Field Hockey)
Mayssa Pessoa (Brazil, Handball)
Megan Rapinoe (USA, Soccer)
Helen Richardson-Walsh (Great Britain, Field Hockey)
Kate Richardson-Walsh (great Britain, Field Hockey)
Caster Semenya (South Africa, Track & Field)
Melissa Tancredi (Canada, Soccer)
Jeffrey Wammes (Netherlands, Gymnastics)
Spencer Wilton (Great Britain, Equestrian)
The list is expected to grow, as more athletes are revealed to be out. This often occurs on team sports in Europe or in lesser-known sports where athletes are out but haven't gotten much publicity.
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