7 queer and trans storylines to watch at the 2024 Paris Olympics

From Nikki Hiltz to the Olympics’ first openly gay male judo competitor

It often seems like every week a new “first” is happening for queer and trans folks in sports.

It happened again last week, as trans non-binary runner Nikki Hiltz won the 1,500 metre race at the U.S. Olympic trials, qualifying for the U.S. Olympic track team. The outspoken athlete has long been an advocate for trans people in sport, and their visibility will only grow on the world’s largest athletic stage. And now they join a select few openly trans athletes to compete at the Olympics. 

But they aren’t the only one set to make waves in Paris. From a pioneering Filipino boxer to Brittney Griner’s return to the Olympic court, senior editor Mel Woods rounds up some of the queer and trans storylines we’ll be watching at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

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