There is a lot of talk in several corners of social media and social media regarding the presence of transgender athletes in the 2020 Olympics taking place in Tokyo.

But out of sight, the first transgender athlete has helped his country in their quest for a medal over the past week. Soccer star Quinn helped Canada advance to the quarter-finals of the women’s soccer tournament, where they will face Brazil on Friday (30/7) tomorrow.

The 25-year-old is an important part of the Canadian women’s team, excelling in the role of centre-back or defensive midfielder, and has earned 65 caps for her country. It’s not comparable to team captain Christine Sinclair’s record of 301 caps, but her role is still important.

They were both part of the Canadian team that won a bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, as well as the team that competed at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

US club OL Reign has now come under scrutiny for their status as the first transgender athlete since a change in Olympic rules in 2004 that allowed athletes to play the current sexist sport, despite strict procedures.

There were actually quite a few transgender athletes at the Olympics this time around, but it was through the first football tournament that Quinn first wrote the history books, ahead of transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard and skateboarder Alana Smith.

Writing on Instagram after a 1-1 draw against hosts Japan in Canada’s opener, Quinn said: “First transgender athlete in the Olympics to compete. I don’t know how it feels.”

“I’m proud to see [nama] “Quinn” in my line-up and my accreditation. I am sad to know that there are athletes [transgender] Olympics before me who couldn’t live in the truth because of the world.”

“I am optimistic about change. Legislative change. Changes in rules, structure and mindset. For the most part, I feel aware of the reality. Transgender women are prohibited from playing sports. trans women face discrimination and prejudice as they try to pursue their Olympic dreams.The fight is not over yet, and I will be celebrating while we are all here.

Quinn, who also previously played for the Washington Spirit as well as French and Swedish clubs, came out as transgender in September last year, dropping her old name and only asking to be called by her real name of family.

By publicly announcing the change in status that her family and friends were already aware of, Quinn was able to shed what they called “essentially two different lives.” [pria menjadi wanita]”.

He told the BBC in November: “It’s very difficult when you don’t see people like you in the media or even around you or in your profession. I’m moving through space to become a professional footballer and I don’t see people like me.”

“I really don’t like feeling like I have a disconnect between different parts of my life, being a public figure, so I want to live authentically.”

As the most famous transgender player in world football – male, female or non-binary – Quinn didn’t shy away from getting the attention that came naturally, wearing a hoodie that read ‘Protect Trans Children’ before a Reign’s match, and expressing their concerns. on the trans exclusivity policy of other sports governing bodies before making history at the Olympics.

“I think it’s really concerning,” he said of World Rugby’s ban on transgender athletes, as well as World Athletics’ strict rules on testosterone levels, which have seen some athletes women – including Caster Semenya – effectively excluded from the competition.

“I think we need to focus on why we’re in the sport in the first place and celebrating the excellence of our body. I’m just another person doing what I love and I have the privilege of doing it every day on the pitch.”

With Quinn in midfield, Canada made solid progress to qualify for the round of 16 of the women’s soccer tournament, drawing against Japan and Great Britain and beating Chile to seal second place in the group. .

Such is the impact of Quinn’s game, and his current existence may well open the door for many more athletes or especially transgender footballers in the future.