Tokyo 2020 had more out Olympians than ever before and Beijing’s Winter Games are no different. Despite the Chinese government’s harsh treatment of gay people – and its strict security measures – this year boasts double the out Olympians competing than last Winter Games, in PyeongChang, South Korea, 2018.
Who are the lesbian and bi women to root for, you ask? Ask no more!
Megan Bankes
First cab off the rank is the woman in our feature image, Megan Bankes, a Biathlon competitor from Canada. In September 2020, she wrote a touching coming out post on Instagram, along with the picture at the beginning of this article:
“For a while I have been hiding a part of who I am, and I no longer want to use that physical and emotional energy to conceal something that I am proud of. So here goes: I’m gay.
“So why am I choosing to announce that I’m gay? What’s the big deal? Why come out on social media? Because I think representation across the board in sports, arts, politics, and every other area matters. I know that we don’t live in a society that both accepts and celebrates all marginalized communities… yet. My hope is that through continuing to acknowledge diversity as a benefit and not a detriment, everyone can choose to live as themselves, be treated with kindness, and recognize that every individual can make an impact.
“l have big dreams as a biathlete, and would like to do everything I can to be able to train and compete at my best. A necessary part of that is taking care of myself and living as authentically as possible.
“I don’t like to take up space, but I want to use the privilege that I have as a high performance athlete, development coach, and role model to do my part to show younger athletes that they can be whomever they are, or want to be, without discrimination.
“I owe a lot to all the folks (in particular the high performance athletes) that have come out before me, and I think it is important to recognize that they have all broken down some barriers and started conversations. Without these leaders, my decision to come out publicly and my journey thus far would have undoubtedly been more challenging.”
Amber Glenn
Next we have Amber Glenn, a bisexual figure skater representing USA. The Texan came out in 2019: “The fear of not being accepted is a huge struggle for me,” she told Dallas Voice. “Being perceived as ‘just a phase’ or ‘indecisive’ is a common thing for bisexual/pansexual women. I don’t want to shove my sexuality in people’s faces, but I also don’t want to hide who I am.”
Brianne Jenner
Brianne Jenner, the Canadian Ice Hockey Olympian, married fellow Ice Hockey player Hayleigh on their family farm. “They wanted their wedding photos to be full of real emotion, to capture the moments as they happened, which is exactly what our style of storytelling wedding photography is all about,” wrote the wedding photography company, Avangard Photo. “There was laughter, tears, hugs and kisses and we made sure to capture it all.”
Erin Ambrose
Another Canadian Ice Hockey Olympian, Erin Ambrose, wrote on Instagram, in June 2020, “Although there isn’t a parade this year, I truly have never been more proud of who I am and what this month represents. Looking forward to celebrating again soon with all of these wonderful people. Happy pride all.”
Ebba Berglund
Ebba Berglund, a Swedish Ice Hockey Olympian, wrote on Instagram in September 2021, “One year with my lovie today!! The one I wanna spend all my days with. Couldn’t be more grateful getting to call the best person I know mine, älskar dig.”
Alex Carpenter
Alex Carpenter, the Ice Hockey Olympian competing for the USA, captioned the above engagement announcement picture in early January, 2022, with “forever to go.”
Emily Clark
Emily Clark, another Canadian Ice Hockey Olympian, showed how ready she was for Beijing 2022, captioning the above picture, “game face on.”
Mélodie Daoust
Another Ice Hockey Olympian from Canada, Mélodie Daoust, is quoted in Hockey Canada as saying, about coming out, “At the beginning I wasn’t sure or I was scared of the reaction, especially my family and friends. I was hiding it for about three years before I decided that that’s who I was and accepting it and being OK with it.
“I told my family first and they respected it but, at the same time, they needed some time. Just like me, they needed to process it but it didn’t take long for them to be like, ‘Yeah, you’re the same person’. And my friends told me, ‘You can be whoever you want to be as long as you’re happy’. That made my life way easier. I never had to go through something hard with my family and friends so that was great on my end.”
Anna Kjellbin and Ronja Savolainen
Anna Kjellbin, Swedish Ice Hockey player, captioned the above picture, “You make me happy! 2 years together. Älskar dig!” Ronja, a Finnish Ice Hockey Olympian in her own right, posted the same picture to her Instagram to commemorate the pair’s two year anniversary. Cute!
Aneta Lédlová
Aneta Lédlová, an Ice Hockey Player from the Czech Republic, is pictured above with her beautiful family.
Jamie Lee Rattray
Jamie Lee Rattray, Canadian Ice Hockey Olympian, captioned the above picture, “You can find me at the end of the rainbow.”
Jill Saulnier
Jill Salnier, Canadian Ice Hockey Olympian, captioned the above photo, “pew pew the time has come my friends.” We love a comedy queen!
Micah Zandee-Hart
Micah Zandee-Hart, another Canadian Ice Hockey player, captioned the above picture last Valentines Day with “Happy love day to my rock. Thanks for wanting to take pictures when my mouth is full of chips… and most importantly, thanks for loving me when I forget to love myself.”
Kim Meylemans and Nicole Silveira
Skeleton competitors Nicole Silveira, Brazil, and Kim Melemans, Belgium, are dating! It must be written in the stars that the only two out female Skeleton competitors have shacked up! Talk about sexual tension…
Daniela Iraschko-Stolz
Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, Ski Jumper from Austria, captioned the above picture ahead of competing at Beijing, “Qualification done. Nice conditions, lovely hill, all good.”
Makayla Gerken-Schofield
Makayla Gergen-Schofield, Skier from Great Britain, captioned the above picture, “I am truly in a whole mix of emotions to announce that I am officially qualified for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games,” along with commiserations that her brother won’t be attending.
Sandra Naeslund
Sandra Naeslund, Swedish Skier, waves to the cameras as she prepares for the Winter Olympics in the picture above.
Lara Wolf
Lara Wolf, Austrian Skier, made a coming out post on Instagram with the above picture: “by the way, I‘m gay.
“It took me a while to overcome myself for a post like this. Trying to keep it short and simple although it is anything but that. I realized, I need that post for me. I love who I am, I love what I do and I love how I do it. I‘m tired of hiding, because I know that if I hide it doesn‘t go away. The most powerful thing I can do is BE MYSELF!”
Belle Brockoff
Belle Brockoff, Australian Snowboarder, captioned the above picture, “IT’S OFFICIAL! I’m going to my third Olympic games! Thank you to all who have supported me in this amazing journey! You know who you are. I am forever grateful!”
Sarka Pancochova
Sarka Pancochova, Czech Snowboarder, captioned the above picture, “What is gonna be this year’s Christmas adventure? Should we go climb or snowboard? Help us decide.”
Brittany Bowe
Brittany Bowe, Speedskater repping the USA, captioned the above picture, “Proud to represent the Red, White, and Blue.”
Ireen Wüst
Ireen Wüst, speedskater from the Netherlands, posted the above picture after she won gold this year, at her fifth Olympic Games! Congrats Ireen!
