LGBTQ Athletes Outperform Team USA at Winter Olympics

47 openly LGBTQ+ athletes competing in Milan are leading the medal table over Team USA

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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According to a report from Outsports, the group of 47 openly LGBTQ+ athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan have collectively won more medals than Team USA so far. This "Team LGBTQ" has already secured 3 gold medals, putting them in third place in the overall medal table, ahead of the larger U.S. team.

Why it matters

The strong performance of LGBTQ+ athletes at the Winter Olympics highlights the growing visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in sports. It also comes amid concerns about LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination under the previous U.S. presidential administration.

The details

The 3 gold medalists for "Team LGBTQ" so far include skier Breezy Johnson, figure skater Amber Glenn, and freeskier Mathilde Gremaud. Johnson came out as bisexual in 2022, while Glenn is the first openly queer woman to represent the U.S. in Olympic singles figure skating. Gremaud, who is representing Switzerland, posed for a celebratory photo with her girlfriend Vali Höll after winning gold.

  • As of February 10, 2026, the opening days of the Winter Olympics in Milan

The players

Breezy Johnson

A 30-year-old Wyoming-born World Cup alpine ski racer who came out as bisexual in 2022 and won gold in the women's downhill skiing event.

Amber Glenn

A 26-year-old figure skater who became the first openly queer woman to represent the U.S. in Olympic singles figure skating, helping the U.S. team win gold in the figure skating team event.

Mathilde Gremaud

A Swiss freeskier who retained gold in the women's freeski slopestyle event, defeating U.S.-born Eileen Gu in a closely fought contest. Gremaud posed for a celebratory photo with her girlfriend, elite mountain biker Vali Höll.

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What they’re saying

“Before this season starts I wanted to be open about who I am. To those 🏳️‍🌈 people out there who feel a little different and want to see people like them at the top I am here to represent that we are out there, we are normal, and we can do whatever we want.”

— Breezy Johnson (Instagram)

“The fear of not being accepted is a huge struggle for me. Being perceived as 'just a phase' or 'indecisive' is a common thing for bisexual/pansexual women. I don't want to shove my sexuality in people's faces, but I also don't want to hide who I am.”

— Amber Glenn (Dallas Voice)

“It isn't the first time we've had to come together as a community to try to fight for our human rights. I hope that I can use my platform and my voice throughout these Games to try to encourage people to stay strong.”

— Amber Glenn (Reporters)

What’s next

The performance of "Team LGBTQ" will continue to be closely watched as the Winter Olympics progress, with the group aiming to maintain their lead over the larger Team USA contingent.

The takeaway

The strong showing of LGBTQ+ athletes at the Winter Olympics is a powerful statement of inclusion and representation in sports, coming at a time when the community has faced challenges to their rights and acceptance. Their success demonstrates that LGBTQ+ athletes can compete and excel at the highest levels.