Reaction to the queens, whose stage names are Miss Martini, Nicky Doll, and Minima Gesté, has been mixed. While many people questioned why they had been chosen to take part in a historic tradition celebrating athletic ability, a number of politicians defended the decision, with Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo saying they represented "the values of peace and humanity."
Miss Martini, whose real name is Martin Namias, became the first drag queen ever to carry the Olympic flame, making his way through the southern French commune of Digne-Les-Bains on May 11. In an Instagram post, he thanked sponsor Coca Cola for "selecting" him.
"I'm very proud to be part of these Olympic Games because we're going to have this debate and are able to reflect on whether we can all be part of the Omypics," he said in an interview with Deutsche Welle, making it clear he believed trans people "should be able to take part ... in th category they wish to participate in."
Nicky Doll, whose real name is Karl Sanchez, was next up, carrying the flame in a nearby region the following day. In a post on Instagram, the Drag Race France host said his goal was to spread a "message of peace and friendship between peoples." The remainder of the caption was dedicated to calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to all forms of discrimination.
Minima Gesté, whose real name is Arthur Reynaud, carried the torch in Paris on July 14, though in a post on Instagram, he claimed that due to "months of hate on social media," it was done in a secure setting not open to the public.
When pressed by France24 on whether it was appropriate to have a drag queen carry the torch, Mayor Hidalgo said, "I reaffirm my full support," adding, "I am proud, and yes, Paris is proud that a drag queen will carry the torch." She noted that the city would help Reynaud launch legal action if necessary to deal with the hate he received.
According to the Los Angeles Times, this may be just the beginning of drag queens' presence at the games. In an interview with the outlet, Sanchez revealed that he had been invited to perform at the opening ceremony, which is set to take place in Paris on July 26.
