sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Canada Star Quinn Becomes 'First Openly Trans Olympian' To Compete At The Olympics

Canada Star Quinn Becomes 'First Openly Trans Olympian' To Compete At The Olympics

Reign player Quinn played 72 minutes for Canada in their 1-1 draw with Tokyo 2020 hosts Japan at the Sapporo Dome on Wednesday.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Reign midfielder Quinn has become the first "openly trans Olympian to compete" at the Olympics after playing in Canada's draw against Japan at Tokyo 2020.

The 25-year-old came out as non-binary and transgender in 2020, with Quinn claiming in an Instagram post that coming out was "hard."

Quinn/Instagram

Quinn played 72 minutes for Canada at the Sapporo Dome on Wednesday, with host nation Japan pulling back a late equaliser to seal a 1-1 draw in their Group E clash.

The Canada star won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, but Quinn remains "optimistic for change."

Quinn posted on Instagram: "First openly trans Olympian to compete. I don't know how to feel.

"I feel proud seeing 'Quinn' up on the line-up and on my accreditation. I feel sad knowing there were Olympians before me unable to live their truth because of the world.

"I feel optimistic for change. Change in legislature. Changes in rules, structures, and mindsets. Mostly, I feel aware of the realities. Trans girls being banned from sports.

"Trans women facing discrimination and bias while trying to pursue their Olympic dreams. The fight isn't close to over... and I'll celebrate when we're all here."

Japan and Canada are second and third respectively after Great Britain's 2-0 win over Chile at the Sapporo Dome.

Canada will face Chile next while Japan clash with the Group E leaders in the second round of fixtures.

Along with Quinn, New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard is set to become the first transgender woman to compete in the Olympics.

Transgender women have been able to compete at the Olympics since the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also changed its rules in 2015 to allow athletes who transitioned from male to female to compete in women's competitions without needing surgery to remove their testes.

Featured Image Credit: Quinn/Instagram

Topics: Football, Japan