The Winter Olympics kicked off today, so let’s check out 4 openly gay women who are competing in the 2010 games:

Ireen Wüst – Speed Skating:

A 2006 Olympic gold medal winner (at the age of 19) from the Netherlands, Ireen is competing on Sunday, February 14th in the 3000 meter race, February 19th in the 1000 meter race, and February 21st in the 1500 meter race.  She came out in November 2009 in TVM Helden magazine where she mentioed that she has a girlfriend and is very happy.

Sarah Vaillancourt – Hockey:

A foward for the fierce Canadian women’s hockey team, Sarah and her team are expected to be one of the top contender’s for the gold medal this year.  Sarah has been out about her sexuality since she was a Freshman at Harvard University.

Erika Holst - Hockey:

Erika and the rest of her Swedish teammates took home the bronze medal in the 2002 Olympics.  In 2006, they won silver.  I see a pattern here…next step, gold?  Erika has been out since 2006.

Vibeke Skofterud – Cross-Country Skiing:

The Norweigan skiier has been out since 2008 when she told See and Hear magazine: “I have gone many rounds with myself, and it has taken a lot of time to figure out. I was not always honest with my own feelings.”