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Jade Carey is happy, and it shows.
In a new Instagram post, the two-time Olympic gold medalist announced that she has a girlfriend in what People reports is the first time she's publicly mentioned her sexuality. Carey's post shows she and girlfriend Aimee Sinacola smiling across a carousel of four photos, captioned simply “happy 🤍🔐✨💌.”
Sinacola, the director of creative content for University of Oregon Ducks, has posted Carey to her Instagram feed before, but this seemingly marks the first time that Carey has featured her girlfriend. Sinacola posted Carey's photos to her Instagram story with a simple “ILY.”
Sinacola also reposted someone's story about her and Carey's relationship, which said "Representation and visibility are so important. Sport will always be a catalyst for change and inclusion. Takes folks being brave and their most authentic selves in these spaces. Proud of you Jade Carey and beyond happy for you and Aimee Sinacola."
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The 2024 Olympics marked the most-ever out LGBTQ athletes competing in the Games, with 195 competitors across 32 sports, according to GLAAD (trans athletes still face significant barriers to inclusion, at the Olympics and in sports in general). While an improvement in representation, that's only 2% of all Olympic athletes, according to them. As them notes, it's not always safe for athletes from certain countries to be out, and beyond that, some people might not feel comfortable openly identifying as queer in their sport because of stereotypes or a lack of acceptance. That's why Carey's post is so notable — more representation empowers more people to feel safe and comfortable in being open about their own identity.
There were tons of supportive comments under Carey's post, many from fellow Olympians, including Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles.
“Freaking cuuuuuute,” Biles wrote with a red heart. “Periodt!!!” Chiles commented, also with a red heart. Pommel Horse Guy Stephen Nedoroscik even chimed in, cheering the relationship on with a “GO JADE!”
