The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are set to begin on February 6. Among the athletes, a notable number identify as LGBTQ+, reflecting a significant increase in visibility compared to previous Olympic Games. According to official sources, at least 44 openly LGBTQ+ athletes are expected to compete, with a strong representation from France.
This Winter Olympics not only showcases athletic talent but also highlights the importance of representation in sports. The participation of 44 LGBTQ+ athletes marks a substantial rise from the 15 who competed in 2018 and the 36 in 2022. This article will focus on the inspiring stories of four French athletes who are poised to make a significant impact.
The facts
Among the prominent figures in the French delegation is Guillaume Cizeron, a celebrated figure skater aiming for his second Olympic title. At 31 years old, Cizeron made headlines in when he publicly came out as gay during the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. In an interview, he expressed gratitude for living authentically in Canada and emphasized the need for visibility in sports: “It’s essential to remember that not everyone enjoys the same freedoms worldwide, even in countries like France. Being open about my identity contributes to the cause.” Cizeron, who won a gold medal in 2022 alongside partner Gabriella Papadakis and silver in 2018, now competes with Laurence Fournier Beaudry.
Kevin Aymoz’s journey
Another notable athlete is Kevin Aymoz, a seven-time French champion in figure skating. He made his public coming out in 2026 through the documentary Faut qu’on parle, aired on Canal+. Aymoz, now 28, is preparing for his second Olympic appearance. He had expressed interest in being the flagbearer for the French delegation to enhance visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals, though that honor ultimately went to snowboarder Chloé Trespeuch and skier Clément Noël.
Pioneers in women’s hockey
In ice hockey, the representation of LGBTQ+ athletes is predominantly female, with players like Lore Baudrit leading the charge. As the captain of the French women’s ice hockey team since 2026, Baudrit, aged 34 and standing at 1.90 meters, has accumulated 244 caps. She is leading the first French generation to compete at the Winter Olympics, following her partner and former player Marion Allemoz, who is now a coach and the mother of Baudrit’s son.
Rising stars in hockey
Joining Baudrit is Chloé Aurard-Bushee, a 26-year-old forward who began her professional career at just 14. Over the years, she has achieved remarkable success, winning the Eastern Conference of the North American league six times between 2015 and 2026. After stints with the Boston Pride and the New York Sirens, Aurard-Bushee made history as the first French player to compete in a North American professional league and is now playing in the Swiss top division for Zurich.
A historic year for LGBTQ+ athletes
The upcoming Winter Olympics are not merely significant for French athletes; they reflect a broader trend of increasing LGBTQ+ visibility in sports. Finnish athlete Ronja Savolainen will compete against her fiancée, Swedish athlete Anna Kjellbin, creating a compelling narrative. Additionally, the inclusion of Elis Lundholm, a 23-year-old transgender athlete in mogul skiing, marks a landmark achievement. Lundholm has secured several national podiums and has placed in the top 25 in the World Cup for the past two seasons.
As the opening ceremony approaches, the number of openly LGBTQ+ athletes may continue to rise. Over the past twelve years, the number of such athletes has surged sixfold across both winter and summer games. This visibility is crucial, particularly as nearly two billion viewers worldwide watched the last Winter Olympics, including 45 million in France alone.