Black, LGBTQ athletes: 'Special' to represent U.S.
The 26-year-old is taking part in her second games after winning the gold with the USA team in Rio in 2016.
"I've realized my role in this sport, my role in aquatics, my role in these games is going to be someone that represents something that's so much bigger than me, past Team USA, past just me and that's a very special responsibility," Johnson told reporters at a news conference on Friday (July 23), a few hours before the opening ceremony was due to start.
Johnson's Team USA colleague, Rugby Sevens player Kris Thomas, was happy to see the large numbers of openly LGBTQ athletes participating in the Games.
More than 160 openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer athletes are due to participate, making this year's Olympics the most inclusive ever.
