(Photo Credits: Screengrab from @madewithlovebytomdaley’s Instagram Account)

As we all know, Tokyo 2020 is underway and so today, we would like to highlight some of the LGBTQ+ Olympic athletes who are currently making history. We included those who captured the heart of the fans as well as those who have been getting global coverage and love from viewers around the world. 

Please take a look at our list below and don’t forget to share in the comments section the names of your favorite LGBTQ Olympians who we may have missed:

  • Tom Daley – the handsome British diver made waves when he won the gold medal for the 10-meter synchronized diving with his teammate Matty Lee. He also went viral when he was caught on cam knitting a dog sweater while watching the Women’s 3M Springboard Final from the stands.



  • Nesthy Petecio – she made history for being the first female Filipino boxer to win an Olympic medal for the Philippines. The out boxer dedicated her silver win to her family, her country, and the LGBTQ community. 



Petecio rose from poverty. Her first official fight was at the age of 11 and her opponent was a “bigger, stronger male.” Read her inspiring story here.




  • Margielyn Didal – the charming 22-year-old Filipina skateboarder did not win any medals but she won the hearts of the viewers especially the Brazilian and Japanese fans because of her great sportsmanship, positive attitude, and her vibrant personality. 



Didal trended on social media because she was spotted photobombing some of her fellow athletes not to mention she finished the competition with a huge smile on her face in spite of the ankle injury she sustained.




Further, fans called Didal a “class act” and “someone with the heart of a true champion” for spreading good vibes and for congratulating her competitors. 

She now has a Facebook filter or a photo frame called “Olympian Didal Good Vibes” courtesy of a Facebook user named Mark Tutor. The photo frame looked like a photobomb meme and is now making its rounds on Facebook.




For her Olympic debut, Didal finished 7th in street skate. Didal is out and proud. She has been in a relationship with her girlfriend for six years now.




  • Laurel Hubbard – The New Zealand weightlifter made history by becoming the first openly transgender female athlete to compete at the Olympic Games. Thus, the 43-year-old weightlifter, who failed to advance to the final, has gained the attention of both the social and traditional media. 



“All I’ve ever wanted to be is myself,” she said during an interview with the Time Magazine. “I’m just so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to come here and be me.” 

  • Quinn – is a Canadian professional soccer player who made history at the Tokyo 2020 by becoming the first out trans and the first non-binary athlete to win an Olympic medal. 



Quinn came out as transgender through an Instagram post last year (shown above). According to CTV News, Quinn “changed their pronouns to they/them and now only goes by one name” as they were “tired of being misgendered.”

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