Tue 24 Jul 2012 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA
There are 20 openly gay or lesbian athletes who will compete at the London Olympics, which begin this week. While, sadly, we know of no out NZ Summer Olympians, we are celebrating the 17 women and three men from around the world who are competing proudly, as exactly who they are. The men: There are just THREE openly-gay men at the London Olympics. Joining Australia’s gorgeous golden boy Matthew Mitcham are two dressage riders: Dutchman Edward Gal is regarded as something of a rock star of the riding world with his mount “Toto”, and dates fellow rider Hans Peter Minderhoud, who was a surprise omission from the Dutch team. Matthew Mitcham, Edward Gal and Carl Hester Brit Carl Hester, riding the horse Uthopia was part of the British team that won the team gold medal at the 2011 European Dressage Championship in Rotterdam. He also won individual silver medals in the Grand Prix Freestyle and Grand Prix Special. (Clockwise)Jessica Landström, Hedvig Lindahl, Lisa Dahlkvist and Megan Rapinoe. Footballers: The old cliché of football being a lesbian sport seems like it has some standing: three members of the Swedish women’s team; forward Jessica Landström, keeper Hedvig Lindahl and midfielder Lisa Dahlkvist are out. In America, we farewell favourite Natasha Kai, and say hello to midfielder Megan Rapinoe. She came out just a few weeks ago - revealing she has been dating Australian soccer player Sarah Walsh for three years. Both teams have good chances of bringing home medals, with the US finishing second and Sweden third at the 2011 World Cup. And it's not just players who are out: the US and British head coaches, Pia Sundhage and Hope Powell, are also openly-lesbian. Handball: Mayssa Pessoa, Rikke Skov and Alexandra Lacrabère. We don’t know a heck of a lot about handball in New Zealand, but there will be three lesbian competitors in London to help you learn the rules: Mayssa Pessoa from Brazil, Rikke Skov from Denmark and Alexandra Lacrabère from France. More Balls: The fabulously outspoken Australian beach volleyball player Natalie Cook is at the centre of controversy because she says she should carry the national team’s flag because she is a woman, openly-gay and has represented Australia at five Games. She’s jokingly planning a sit down ceremony if she has to walk behind a man. She’s picked up two bronzes and a gold in her career so far. And speaking of gold, out six foot American all-star basketballer Seimone Augustus is part of a US team that will be looking to continue its run of four-straight Olympic titles. Hockey: Marilyn Agliotti and Maartje Paumen Dutch players Marilyn Agliotti and Maartje Paumen are both out and part of one of the teams to beat in London – both were on the team that took gold in 2008. Paumen is bound to be impressive: she was named 2011 Player of the Year at the Champions Trophy. Tennis: Out American doubles player Lisa Raymond is one of the best in the world in the two-a-side realm, and is currently part of the number one ranked pair. Two French triathletes: Carole Péon and Jessica Harrison Carole Péon and Jessica Harrison aren’t just teammates, they are also a couple. Naww. They will each be competing in their second Olympics. Harrison is ranked 14th in the world heading into the Olympics, and Peon 26th. They will have to have the races of their lives to beat the top-ranked competitor: New Zealand’s very own Andrea Hewitt. And finally, fencing! German fencer Imke Duplitzer was part of the German Women's Epeé fencing team that won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics. While these athletes are out and proud, simple logic (and Grindr) suggest there will be many in the closet the London games. Australian shooter Russell Mark claims there are ‘tons of gay couples on the Olympic team who will be rooming together’ – he is angry he and his wife are being discriminated against for being straight, (as for some weird reason they are not allowed to share a room!) Massive respect to our out Winter Olympian Blake Skjellerup, and the one openly-gay Kiwi who will be in action in London: diving judge Simon Latimer. Jacqui Stanford - 24th July 2012