Canada's Quinn Is The First Non-Binary, Transgender Athlete To Win An Olympic Medal
A gold medal for a golden moment!
Canadian soccer player Quinn made history as the first non-binary, transgender athlete to win an Olympic medal.
Quinn, a midfielder in Canada's women's soccer team, is part of the team that won on a penalty shoot-out against Sweden in the Olympic final.
Canada fell behind 1-0 after Sweden scored in the first half, but Jessie Fleming, from London, Ontario, equalized the score mid-way through the second half. The match then went to extra time before Canada held its nerve in the penalty shoot-out to spark celebrations on the pitch.
But it was a double history-making moment for 25-year-old Quinn, who publicly came out as trans in a post on Instagram last fall.
Before the Olympics started in Tokyo, Quinn also posted: "I feel proud seeing "Quinn" up on the lineup 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."