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The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics: A Historic Turning Point

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are already shaping up to be a landmark event. Currently, at least 44 openly LGBTQ+ athletes are expected to compete, making this iteration the most inclusive in the history of the Winter Games. This comes as LGBTQIA+ sports gain unprecedented visibility on the global stage.

This number is likely to grow as the competitions approach, marking a significant leap forward in queer visibility at the Winter Olympics.

Predominantly Female Representation

Out of the 44 openly LGBTQ+ athletes, 34 are women, while 10 are men, translating to a ratio of about 7:2. Although this imbalance remains substantial, it is less pronounced than at the Summer Games, where nearly 9 women for every man are represented.

This differentiation is partly due to the nature of the Winter Games, where fewer team sports naturally limit the number of participants.

Ice Hockey: A Pillar of Queer Visibility

Predictably, women’s ice hockey dominates the list, with no fewer than 22 LGBTQ+ female athletes, making it the leading driver of queer representation in Milan.

In contrast, figure skating is the only sport where LGBTQ+ male athletes outnumber females, boasting at least six men to one woman.

Other sports also showcase representation:

• Alpine and freestyle skiing (6 athletes)
• Speed skating (4)
• Skeleton (2)
• Snowboarding, curling, and biathlon (1 each)

Steady Progress in the Olympics

This remarkable rise is not by chance but reflects a long-standing trend over more than a decade:

• 2014 (Sochi): 7 LGBTQ+ athletes
• 2018 (PyeongChang): 15
• 2022 (Beijing): 36
• 2026 (Milan-Cortina): at least 44 so far

This amounts to a sixfold increase over twelve years.

The Summer Olympics have seen an even more pronounced trend: Paris 2024 set a record with 199 openly LGBTQ+ athletes.

Pride House Milan: A Strong Symbol

This visibility extends beyond the slopes and rinks, notably at Pride House Milan. This emblematic space for LGBTQ+ events blends sports, culture, and diversity, becoming a focal point for LGBTQ+ presence in the Olympic movement.

Canada: Among the Most Visible Nations

With eight openly LGBTQ+ athletes, Canada is one of the most represented nations at Milan-Cortina, alongside the United States and several European countries.

This visibility reflects:

• Evolving social attitudes,
• The work of sports federations,
• And the efforts of generations of athletes who have contributed to creating safer and more inclusive environments.

Biathlon: A More Subdued Yet Symbolic Sport

Among these Canadian figures, Shilo Rousseau stands out. Competing internationally in biathlon, a combination of cross-country skiing and precision shooting, she participates in a traditionally conservative discipline.

As an openly LGBTQ+ athlete, her presence expands queer visibility beyond traditionally inclusive sports, paving the way for a new generation.

Figure Skating: A Showcase of Elegance and Diversity

Figure skating remains one of the sports where diverse expressions are most visible.

Paul Poirier, a multiple-time world medalist and Four Continents champion with Piper Gilles, stands as one of the key figures of this edition. Openly gay, he embodies visibility at the highest level, where artistic expressiveness and sporting excellence reinforce each other.

Canadian Women’s Hockey: A Foundation for LGBTQ+ Representation

The Canadian women’s hockey team features several prominent figures:

• Emerance Maschmeyer
• Marie-Philip Poulin
• Laura Stacey
• Emily Clark
• Erin Ambrose
• Brianne Jenner

All Olympic or world champions, they represent a model for normalizing sexual diversity in one of the world’s most inclusive female sporting environments.

The United States: Visibility and Advocacy

On the American side, eight LGBTQ+ athletes are noted, comprising about 3% of the delegation.

Among them, speed skater Conor McDermott-Mostowy made headlines with his journey. Initially discreet, he aimed to challenge the stereotype linking male homosexuality with lesser athletic performance. After missing selection in 2022 due to medical reasons, his 2026 qualification was celebrated with the succinct, yet powerful message: “Mission accomplished.”

Amber Glenn and Kevin Aymoz: When Identity Empowers Performance

American skater Amber Glenn also made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ female figure skater to compete in the Olympics. She states that her coming out was a mental game-changer, finally aligning her personal identity with her sporting expression.

The same goes for French skater Kevin Aymoz, who describes his public coming out as a healing process. By liberating himself, he found essential emotional stability for his balance and performance.

A Historic First for the Winter Games

Milan 2026 will also mark a significant milestone with the participation of the first openly trans athlete at the Winter Games: Swedish skier Elis Lundholm, a moguls specialist.

This is a powerful symbol, especially given the contrasting international discourse on transgender issues in sports.

An Evolving List

The current list, much like in previous editions, is expected to grow. Cultural, linguistic, and media differences explain why some athletes are identified later, often through social media.

For example, French hockey player Lore Baudrit was identified following the publication of a family photo confirming her marriage to former international player Marion Allemoz.

Milan-Cortina 2026: A Generational Marker

Beyond the medals, Milan-Cortina 2026 is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Olympic history. LGBTQ+ visibility is no longer marginal or exceptional; it is becoming intrinsic, spearheaded by athletes who no longer have to choose between performance and authenticity.

A powerful signal for global sports and future generations.

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