Openly LGBT athletes are competing at the Winter Paralympics in Milan. There are more of them than ever before—here’s who they are

On March 6, the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games officially kicked off in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This year, 665 athletes from 50 countries are competing, and according to specialized media reports, the number of openly LGBT athletes among them has reached a record high for the Winter Games.

Here's what we know about it.

How many openly gay and lesbian athletes are there at these Games?

At this point, it is known that six openly gay athletes, who represent five different sports. All of them compete for the national teams of two countries: the United States and the United Kingdom. By comparison, nearly 50 openly queer athletes competed at the recent Winter Olympics in Milan, winning a total of 11 medals. The Paralympians hope to replicate that success.

Who exactly represents the LGBT community in Milan?

Among the participants who have openly declared their identity are:

• Joe Butterfield (United Kingdom, curling): Butterfield is an experienced athlete. She won her first Paralympic gold medal back in 2016 in track and field (club and discus throw), but in 2022 she switched disciplines and now competes in wheelchair curling in the mixed doubles event.
• Jake Adikoff (United States, cross-country skiing): A four-time Paralympic medalist with one gold and three silver medals to his credit. Adikoff is a visually impaired athlete and the only Paralympian to receive support from the foundation Out Athlete Fund.
• Jackie Hamway (United States, snowboarding): Hamway is making her Paralympic debut. She began competing in adaptive sports ten years after a boating accident that resulted in the amputation of her leg. She competes in snowboard cross and banked slalom.
• Hayley Griffin (United States, alpine skiing): She is also making her debut at the Games. Her journey into para sports began after a car accident in 2019.
• Mike O'Hern (United States, alpine skiing): O'Hern was born with arthrogryposis (a disorder affecting the joints and muscles), but began skiing at the age of three. In Milan, he is competing in the Paralympics for the first time in the standing events.

Why is this being discussed?

For many athletes, coming out has become an important part of their professional journey. For example, Bruce Mowat, the silver medalist in curling at the 2026 Olympics, has previously stated that being open about his sexuality helped him reach new heights in the sport. Sports commentators note that the visibility of LGBT people in the Paralympic movement helps combat the double stigma associated with both disability and sexual orientation.

The Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will run through March 15.