11 out LGBT athletes compete in Commonwealth Games.

Diver Tom Daley of England. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

The quadrennial Commonwealth Games start Wednesday along Australia’s Gold Coast and 11 openly LGBT athletes are among the 6,000 athletes competing from 71 nations.

The Games, which feature countries from the former British Empire, have 24 sports, including for the first time beach volleyball, para triathlon and women’s rugby sevens. Niche sports such as lawn bowling and netball are also on the list.