08/06/2021 10:28 PM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 08/06/2021 10:28 PM
Quinn
, a footballer for the Canadian national team, became the
first openly transgender and non-binary athlete to win an Olympic medal
on
Friday
, in another historic moment that will leave the Olympic Games, after winning the Tokyo 2020 final against Sweden 3-2 by penalties after drawing 1-1.
Quinn, who has only one name (originally her name was
Rebecca
), started as the starter and was then replaced at the end of the first half.
A
25-year-old
midfielder
, she has a long history with the Canadian women's team, debuting in 2014 and winning the bronze medal at Rio 2016, although she only declared herself transgender last year.
"I wanted to
be authentic in all spheres of my life
, and one of them is public space," Quinn said at the time.
"So that was one of the reasons behind it, because I
was tired of being abused
and all that," she added.
Quinn raises her arms and salutes after winning the gold medal in women's soccer.
AP Photo / Andre Penner
The status of a transgender player-pioneer at the Games came at the same time as that of New Zealand transgender weightlifter
Laurel Hubbard.
Hubbard, whom the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
recognizes as such
, sparked controversy and debate.
Why?
Critics argued that the New Zealander
had physical advantages
locked into her body
from her developmental years as a man,
making it
unfair
for her to compete in the tournament's women's draw against female-born lifters.
However, Hubbard's debut at the Games ultimately made no sporting noise because he
failed to complete the lift and was out
of the fight for the metals.
Hubbard, 43, who was twice the age of some of her rivals and had not competed internationally since before the coronavirus pandemic, later admitted that she
was "overwhelmed" by being in the limelight.
Not the case for Quinn, who moves as a defensive midfielder and ranks at the club level
alongside top female stars
like American Megan Rapinoe.
Quinn, who plays
for Seattle's OL Reign of
the US Women's National League, also hasn't faced questions about her presence on the Canadian women's team.
"I want my story
to be told
because
when we have a lot of trans visibility, that's where we start to make a movement
and we start to make progress in society," Quinn said on his club's website.
Quinn celebrates with her partner Christine Sinclair.
AP Photo / Kiichiro Sato
Like Hubbard, Quinn has spoken about the struggles of being transgender in a binary-centric world and faces the challenge of being
a role model
at the Games for young people experiencing similar personal situations.
"I'm getting messages from young people saying they've never seen a transgender person in sports before," Quinn told
CBC
after Canada shocked America's
super favorites
1-0
, who ultimately won the medal for bronze.
"Sport is the most exciting part of my life. If I can allow children to practice the sports they love,
that is my fight
and
that is
why I am here," he confesses.
After arriving in Tokyo, Quinn reflected on what it meant to appear on the biggest stage in sport as an overtly transgender athlete.
"I do not know how to feel. I am proud to see 'Quinn' on the roster and on my accreditation. But
it saddens me to know that there were Olympic athletes before me unable to live his truth
around the world," Quinn posted on social media social.
Although the fight continues.
"There are transgender girls who are
banned from
playing sports, transgender women who face
discrimination
and prejudice while trying to pursue their Olympic dreams," she reflected.
"The fight is not over. I'm going to celebrate when everyone is here," Quinn concluded.
AFP
Look also
Tokyo 2020: Laurel Hubbard, the transgender weightlifter who made Olympic history amid much debate
Tokyo 2020: Kenyan Jepchirchir won the slowest Olympic marathon in history