These Hockey Players Are The First Same-Sex Married Couple To Make It To An Olympic Final

Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh will took on the Netherlands together as part of England's field hockey team.
From: NewNowNext

Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh made history tonight when they faced off against the Netherlands in the Olympic field hockey finals. The women are the first same-sex married couple to ever make it to an Olympic final together.


Kate and Helen first became the first same-sex couple to not only play on the same Olympic team, medal together, when they took home bronze for Great Britain at the London Games in 2012.

The following year, they got married decided and took a break from field hockey. While they weren’t initially planning to come back for the 2016 Rio Games, they couldn’t resist.

“It would be really special [to win gold]. We’ve been through ups and downs,” Kate told the Sun.

“I would really love to go out with a bang and stand on top of that podium and sing the national anthem and be one of those people.”

Had an amazing time with @helenrichardson8 at @secret_cinema Dirty Dancing last night! Fancy dress, singing, dancing and much fun had by all.

A photo posted by Kate Walsh (@katewalsh11gb) on Jul 16, 2016 at 3:36am PDT

The duo have always wanted their relationship to be seen as something normal. “We’re not out there shouting it, it’s just part and parcel of who we are,” Kate said.

“It was definitely a conscious decision [to come out],” Helen added. “If you are really open about it, people say, ‘Why do you make such a big deal about it?’…[but] if you don’t mention it, you could be seen as hiding it, which we didn’t want either.”

Though they might’ve been concerned about how the public would react when they first came out, Helen and Kate have said the response from the global LGBT community has made it worthwhile.

“Those messages we get from time to time have made it really pleasing that we have been so open,” Helen said. “When people say ‘you’ve helped me come out to my parents or deal with my own sexuality’ it’s really powerful.”

The ladies took the field alongside their teammates in the final match against the Netherlands this afternoon, won the Gold,