14 openly gay and lesbian athletes to compete in London Olympics
At least 14 out gay and lesbian athletes will be competing in London’s Olympic Games.
According to OutSports.com, which published the list, statistics suggest that there are many more gay or lesbian competitors.
The website said that with 12,602 athletes set to compete, just one per cent of them being gay or lesbian would be 126.
The athletes known to be gay or lesbian are: Matthew Mitcham (Australia, diving); Edward Gal (Netherlands, equestrian); Lisa Raymond (U.S., doubles tennis); Judith Arndt(Germany, cycling); Seimone Augustus (U.S., basketball); Imke Duplitzer (Germany, fencing); Megan Rapinoe (U.S. soccer); Marilyn Agliotti (Netherlands, field hockey); Maartje Paumen (Netherlands, field hockey); Natalie Cook (Australia, beach volleyball); Alexandra Lacrabère (France, handball); Jessica Landström (Sweden, soccer); and Carole Péon (France, triathlon) and Jessica Harrison (France, triathlon).
Another lesbian, US wrestler Stephany Lee, qualified for the 2012 games but was kicked off the team last month after failing a drugs test.
There is also one lesbian coach, Pia Sundhage, of the US women’s soccer team, and two gay Paralympians, the horse rider Lee Pearson and sitting volleyball player Claire Harvey.
