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These Italian LGBTQ+ Athletes are Competing in the Tokyo Olympics

Jamie T. by Jamie T.
7 December 2021
Reading Time: 3 mins read

The Tokyo games are set to be the one of the most inclusive Olympics ceremonies ever, with at least 163 publicly out gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and nonbinary athletes competing. This according to Outsports, a platform dedicated to telling the stories of LGBTQ+ athletes. As you watch the 2020 Olympic games, make sure to cheer for these three incredible athletes competing for Team Italy.

Marathon Swimmer Rachele Bruni

Born in Florence, Italy, marathon swimmer Rachele Bruni is Italy’s first openly out Olympian, and she already has an Olympic medal to her name. She won the Silver Medal at the 2016 Rio Games for the 10 km event. She made waves in the press by dedicating the win to her girlfriend, credited as a landmark moment for Italian LGBTQ+ representation in the Olympic games. Ahead of the 2021 competition in Tokyo, she told Huffington Post, “I just know that it came naturally to me to think about my beloved and not about people’s prejudices. Undoubtedly there are people who still have prejudices, but I live peacefully, and I live for myself, for my passion for swimming, and for the people who love me.”

#Italy swim star's nod to girlfriend hailed as gay landmark #RacheleBruni #RioOlympics2016 https://t.co/5mtgZ2uUY8 pic.twitter.com/tbEJ0VTKGS

— The Local Italy (@TheLocalItaly) August 17, 2016

Judo Fighter Alice Bellandi

Born in Brescia, this women’s Judo fighter moved to Rome at the age of 17 to pursue her Judo career. The 2018 Junior World Champion and 2019 Judo Grand Prix silver medalist pulled on our heartstrings with a loving tribute to her partner, Chiara Verger. Translated to English, she writes, “You changed my life, upset my priorities, fixed my dreams. You taught me so much, you let us switch roles, you licked my wounds as if they were yours. You are my victory, my starting point for each day that ends.”

Read these moving tributes from Olympic judoka Alice Bellandi to her partner. Feeling all the love. https://t.co/nSmmWiim7V

— Outsports (@outsports) July 21, 2021

Volleyball Star Paola Egonu

This opposite hitter born in Cittadella, Padova, was just seventeen when she competed with Team Italy in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Italy’s world silver medalist has spoken about being blunt, fighting prejudice in 2020, and learning to be more consistent in her volleyball. “I left home when I was very young,” the now-21-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Since then I’ve had to – and I wanted to – make choices that show Paola Egonu, the woman (rather than a child).”

Italian Opposite Paola Egonu will carry the Olympic flag for Italy at the Opening Ceremony on Friday!

It's amazing to see someone at the top of our sport being recognised with such a phenomenal honour. pic.twitter.com/5onbbg5LXI

— Alex Chinery (@byalexchinery) July 20, 2021

See the full list of 163 publicly out athletes competing in Tokyo here.

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