Nee was thrilled to represent the LGBT community on a global scale.
Ashley Nee was 10 years old when she was introduced to kayaking at a camp in Bethesda, MD. It was love at first dip. Ever since then, Nee has dedicated her life to the sport. She ate, breathed and slept kayaking, and eventually landed a spot on the U.S. national slalom team.
Now a kayaking veteran, Nee competed as one of the record-breaking 53 out and proud LGBT athletes in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. The 27-year-old was excited for a shot to compete, especially considering the fact she had been injured during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and had to watch the London games in 2012 at home because she had failed to qualify. She was also happy to represent the LGBT community on a global scale.
Nee spoke with LGBT Olympic analyst Charley Walters as part of his video series featuring LGBT athletes in Rio about her experience and what it meant for her to finally realize her dream of being in the Olympics.
“It’s unreal,” she said.
Nee also went on to credit her wife for all of her support, and commented on the stigmas still attached to gay athletes.
Watch the full interview below.
If you are an LGBT athlete and would like to share your story with Curve Magazine, contact Lyndsey D’Arcangelo at [email protected] or on Twitter @darcangel21