Women outnumber men in Team GB’s largest travelling summer Olympics squad

There are 201 female athletes selected in the 376-strong team heading to Tokyo.

Pa Sport Staff
Thursday 08 July 2021 15:54 BST
Sky Brown File Photo
Sky Brown File Photo (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Team GB will take its largest number of athletes to an Olympics outside of Britain after announcing a 376-strong squad for this summer’s Games in Tokyo

With 201 female athletes selected, it is the first time women outnumber men in a GB summer Olympic team.

Chef de Mission Mark England said: “After five years of hard work our team for Tokyo 2020 is now complete. We have a strong squad of athletes ready to do their country proud and it’s great to welcome our largest travelling British Olympic team ever.

“I am also delighted we will be taking more women than men to a summer Olympic Games. It is a first for Team GB in its 125-year history – 2021 is truly the year of the female Olympian.”

A further 22 reserve athletes have also been selected and Team GB will compete in 26 sports.

The team contains 122 returning Olympians and 51 medallists, with 254 debutants joining the party.

Skateboarder Sky Brown, 13 next Monday, will become Britain’s youngest summer Olympian while Jason Kenny has the chance to pass Sir Chris Hoy as Britain’s most decorated Olympian by adding to his six gold medals.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in