Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy is one tough competitor
Gus Kenworthy post #2:
US freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy missed out on a second Olympic medal this time around in part due to injuries (a broken thumb and massive hematoma) that proved detrimental to his final runs in the Slopestyle competition this past weekend.
Gus shared a pic of the enormous bruise today giving you an idea of just how tough he is and yet still managed to throw down with the best of the best freestyle skiers in PyeongChang.
He even threw in a Call Me By Your Name reference along the way 🙂
A peach hasn’t been this destroyed since Timothée Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name.🍑 pic.twitter.com/GSpdjZGox2
UPDATE: USA Today columnist Christine Brennan reports that Adam rethought the decision to work for NBC Sports for now as it would have meant relinquishing his Olympic standing, credentials and more.
After agreeing to an offer to work for NBC, Adam Rippon @Adaripp decided overnight that he would rather remain as an Olympian, source telling me. Didn’t want to relinquish his official Olympic standing, give up credential, move out of Team USA housing and miss closing ceremony.
I am flattered that NBC wanted me to work as a correspondent for them here in PyeongChang. Doing this would require me to leave Team USA and move out of the Olympic Village. I don’t want to do that so I had to declined the opportunity.
I love being on Team USA and representing our country. My teammates were there for me during my events, and now I NEED to be there for them. I look forward to being with them, and I’m very excited for the rest of the competition. Go Team USA!!!
Not only did U.S. figure skater Adam Rippon score a bronze medal for his contribution to the team skating event, but “America’s sweetheart” has also booked a gig working for NBC Sports for the remainder of the Winter Games in PyeongChang.
Rippon has emerged as one of PyeongChang’s breakout stars for both his skating and his personality.
Already a bronze medalist in the team figure skating event, the 28-year-old said that even after his 10th place finish in the men’s individual event, he still feels like a winner.
“I think I’ve shown the world that I’m a fierce competitor,” he said. “But I think I’ve shown them that I’m also a fierce human being.”
When asked in December what it’s like to be a gay athlete, the Pennsylvanian answered, “It’s exactly like being a straight athlete. Lots of hard work but usually done with better eyebrows.”
My favorite Rippon-ism: “You know, I’m not like a gay icon, or America’s gay sweetheart. I’m just America’s sweetheart and I’m just an icon.”
Rippon is one of Team USA’s first two openly gay athletes, along with slopestyle skier Gus Kenworthy.
Out U.S. Olympic speed skater Brittany Bowe finished fifth in the women’s 500-meter with a time of 37.53 seconds – just two-tenths of a point off the podium.
Today’s results follow her 5th place finish in the 1500 meter race and a 4th place in the 1000 meter race.
“Other than being two-tenths off the podium, I’m really, really happy with that race,” speaking to NBC after the race. “I can’t think of anything I could have executed better, to be honest with you.”
“Obviously, I’m disappointed coming out medal-less so far,” she added. “We still have the team pursuit. I really want a medal for everybody that’s helped me along the way, my whole life and especially this past year and a half getting me back to that start line. It would mean the world to me.”
The women’s team event will take place over Monday and Wednesday this week.
But even if that doesn’t work out, Bowe says she’s not finished her Olympic journey yet as she plans on being at the 2022 games in four years.
“I definitely plan on going another four years,” she said. “I can’t be done here, that’s for sure.”
Gus Kenworthy kisses his bf Matthew Wilkas at 2018 Winter Olympics
When Gus Kenworthy came out in 2015, he told ESPN Magazine that he felt like a “coward” in not acknowledging his boyfriend during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
Well, what a difference 4 years and a shattered closet door makes.
Before yesterday’s qualifying runs in the slopestyle competition, Kenworthy gave his boyfriend Matthew Wilkas a kiss that was captured by the NBC Sports cameras.
“I didn’t even know that that was a televised moment at all, but I think that’s amazing,” Kenworthy said afterward. “That’s something that I wanted at the last Olympics was to share a kiss with my boyfriend at the bottom and it was something that I was too scared to do for myself. And so to be able to do that, to give him a kiss, to have that affection broadcasted for the world is incredible.
“I think that the only way to really change perceptions, break down homophobia, break down barriers is through representation. That’s definitely not something I had as a kid. I definitely didn’t see a gay athlete at the Olympics kissing their boyfriend and I think that if I had it would have made it a lot easier for me, so hopefully it did that for other people.”
Kenworthy, who scored a silver medal in Sochi, broke his thumb earlier this week and also suffered from a massive hematoma on his hip that required six vials of blood to be drained, will not take home a medal from this Olympic trip.
He easily qualified for the finals, but in his three final runs was unable to string together the jumps he needed to make the podium. But the handsome 26-yearold skier from Telluride, Colorado, seems at peace with his day.
“If you look at me right now, I’m bummed but I’m not sulking, I’m not crying,” Kenworthy shared with The Guardian. “I’m really proud to be here.”
“Being out at this Games has kind of meant the world to me. Just getting to really be myself and be authentic and I think that landing a run in the final, getting on the podium obviously would have been icing on the cake.”
“But even though it didn’t happen for me, I still had a wonderful Olympic experience and I’m really happy for the guys that did get on the podium. I don’t know, maybe there’s a next time.”
Kenworthy easily qualified for the finals of slopestyle with his 90.80
And Team Kenworthy was all smiles and rainbows cheering their guy on
My Seoul mate! So happy to have my bf, my family and some amazing friends here in Korea to cheer me on! Tomorrow’s the big day (tonight for y’all in the US) and win or lose I just wanna thank you all SO much for your support and encouragement. I wouldn’t be here without you. pic.twitter.com/XwqWKldwbN
• Out Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy (above) welcomed his bf Matthew Wilkas to PyeongChang just in time to watch Kenworthy in the slopestyle competition.
• UK tabloid The Daily Mailis losing advertisers after a columnist for the rag wrote a homophobic piece criticizing Tom Daley & Dustin Lance Black for sharing an ultrasound image of their soon-to-arrive baby.
• RuPaul will join Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin for the newly-announced 5th season of Grace And Frankie set to be released by Netflix in 2019.
• OUT has announced it annual “100 Most Eligible Bachelors” for 2018. Since I’m married I didn’t make the list, but did you? Or your favorite out athlete/celeb/artist?
• Since 2010, the Olympics have featured Pride Houses where LGBTQ athletes and fans could relax in a safe space. But with no money budgeted for this at PyeongChang, Canada stepped up allowing Canada House to do double duty as Pride House.
• How about one more pic of our awesome Team USA competing at the Winter Olympics? Here’s woofy Carlos Valdes – a member of our four-man bobsled team who competes next Saturday.
Out U.S. figure skater Adam Rippon may have finished tenth in the men’s Olympic figure skating event in PyeongChang, but there’s no question he is a star at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
After a perfect short program landed Rippon in 7th place, Rippon took to the ice last night for his final Olympic skate.
Even with great athleticism, artistry and star quality, Rippon knew his perfect triple jumps wouldn’t be enough to beat his competitors’ multiple quadruple jumps.
Watching the scoring, viewers could see the triple axels Rippon landed over and over only garnered about 9-10 technical points while the quad jumps were getting 15-18 points each. Multiply that by 5-6 jumps per skate and you see the math was not in Rippon’s favor.
But Rippon gave Olympic fans all that he had. And more.
He skated his long program exactly as he planned landing seven triple jumps, completing every spin and along the way reminded folks that artistry counts.
Additionally, Rippon was authentically “Adam” every step of the way. His charisma and charm captured the hearts of viewers around the world.
As an LGBTQ journalist and advocate, my heart grew three sizes larger as I celebrated Adam’s amazing achievement.
“The Olympics are about a whole lot more than just medals,” said NBC commentator Johnny Weir, “and Adam Rippon just proved that.”
“I have gotten a lot of attention just for being myself,” he said. “A lot of people when they come to a competition are afraid to be themselves, no matter who they are. One thing I want to come with from this competition — I am not a gay icon or America’s gay sweetheart. I am just America’s sweetheart and just an icon. If you have a personality like mine it’s for everybody.”
Rippon leaves PyeongChang with a bronze medal for his perfect performance in the team figure skating event that cemented Team USA’s medal win.
I don’t fully understand figure skating judging so I can’t really speculate on the scoring but @Adaripp‘s performance was truly mesmerizing. You’re #1 in our hearts, Adam! So proud of you and inspired by you.
the feeling of watching the world stand behind and actively root for a queer person on a global level has been overwhelming.
thank you @Adaripp for helping show LGBTQ youth everywhere that a better world where queer people are authentically celebrated is possible. https://t.co/ct8Ycnd7sK
Athleticism, artistry, and a Heart of Gold. @Adaripp, your positivity and your light shine through in all you do. And this is just the beginning. #WinterOlympics
Congratulations to openly gay Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) on an incredible #Olympics. From your unapologetic visibility to your incredible skating, it is clear that you are the #BestOfUS. 🏳️🌈⛸✨
History was made today as freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy and figure skater Adam Rippon took part in the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics as the two first openly gay U.S. athletes to ever qualify for the Winter Games.
Entering the Olympic stadium with Team USA, the athletes shared several Twitter shots of themselves at the ceremony, hugging and beaming huge smiles.
“We’re here. We’re queer. Get used to it,” Kenworthy tweeted from the event.
Tonight I walked in the #OpeningCeremony and got to watch my old friend @Yunaaaa light the Olympic flame. Representing the USA is one of the greatest honors of my life and being able to do it as my authentic self makes it all so much sweeter 🇺🇸🏳️🌈🏆🌎❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZypvWkUBjD
One of the highlights of 2016 Summer Olympics was Pita Taufatofua, flag bearer for Tonga, during the opening ceremony. The moment he entered the Maracanã Stadium for the Parade of Nations he became a media sensation.
Wearing just a necklace and traditional ta’ovala, a Tongan mat, his muscled, oiled body and handsome face captured the world’s attention.
Representing the tiny South Pacific nation in taekwondo, Taufatofua was unfortunately eliminated in his first bout.
But, as I recently reported, the Tongan athlete decided he didn’t want to wait four years to compete at the Olympics again so in an improbable and incredible journey he learned how to cross-country ski in one year.
He traveled the world to participate in qualifying races and, amazingly, finds himself at the 2018 Winter Olympics as only the second athlete from Tonga to ever qualify for a Winter Games.
And he didn’t disappoint during the opening ceremonies today as he once again carried his country’s flag (yes, shirtless) during the Parade of Nations.
Now, many of you will remember how the world stopped when hunky, handsome, coconut-oiled Pita Taufatofua of Tonga made his entrance at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics carrying his country’s flag.
After two previous attempts to qualify, Pita made it to the Summer Olympics to compete in Taekwondo. Unfortunately, he was eliminated early in Rio.
But his good looks and upbeat personality definitely made an impression on the world. He was featured on NBC’s The Today Show and in the games’ closing ceremonies.
Four months later, he announced to his burgeoning social media that he wasn’t waiting four years for the next Summer Olympics. He decided to pick a winter sport and qualify for the Winter Olympics Games in Pyeongchang.
He picked cross-country skiing.
Now, living in Brisbane, Australia, with no snow nearby presented an obvious challenge.
That and the fact that he’d never picked up a pair of skis.
But Pita was a man on a mission.
Over the course of a year, Pita would need to drop 30 pounds from his muscular Taekwondo physique and learn to ski in tropical weather.
Instead of driving long hours to the nearest mountain in the winter, he worked out on the beach with roller-skis.
According to the Wall Street Journal which has chronicled this story in detail, there’s an Olympic rules loophole that didn’t require him to ski on snow. After the Sochi games, the International Ski Federation changed its rules to allow points from roller-skiing events to count towards cross-country skiing.
To just qualify for the 2018 Olympic games, Pita needed five finishes that satisfied a formula designed to keep newbies like him out of the Olympics. In a truly herculean effort, Pita achieved four qualifying finishes during a week of roller-skiing in Colombia this winter.
But Pita found himself one finish short. And there were no more roller-skiing events left.
Pita raised funds via GoFundMe (Tongan culture frowns heavily on asking for support) and headed to Austria to train with a real coach in the snow.
With only six weeks to the 2018 Winter Games, there was a lot to be learned: basics like letting a faster skier pass you and knowing the different kinds of wax for your skis depending on conditions like dry snow, wet snow, hard snow, soft snow. Pita only had a stick of snowboard wax purchased on eBay.
In late December, Pita used the last of his money to compete in the final races of the season in Europe. But being new to the pace, altitude, and conditions of actual cross-country skiing he fell short.
Choosing a race in Armenia over Croatia didn’t give him the results he so badly needed. Pita only had “hard track” skis and the night before the event a blanket of powder snow fell on the track.
In a harrowing journey he shared on his Instagram, he decided to make a mad dash to that final Croatian race. With no flights nearby, Pita traveled six hours via taxi.
After racing across 5 countries over 24 hours to Istanbul Airport, he arrived at the gate 15 minutes before his flight was scheduled to depart.
But – Turkish Airlines had closed the gate and would not allow him on the plane. Truly heartbreaking.
He posted a photo of his airline ticket in hand from the airport gate with the plane in the background.
In truth, I read Pita’s post six days ago and marveled at his world-class determination. This IS Olympic spirit. Sitting at my desk, I sat back and applauded all this incredible effort.
And then.
This morning my blogger buddy Larry at The OUTFrontsent me a link to the next ‘straight-out-of-the-movies’ chapter that had escaped me. Total props to Larry for following through.
A few days after missing his flight, Pita heard “whispers” of one more qualifying race near the Arctic Circle in northern Iceland. Over two days, he and his friends tried to reach the event even under the downpour of a massive snowstorm.
Reaching the event, the storm continued. But Pita used the time to keep conditioning himself indoors.
I know you’re waiting for me to type the words, so here you go via Pita:
“On the last day of my Olympic qualification, at the end of the world, I said a little prayer before my race and then a miracle happened! TONGA IS GOING TO THE WINTER OLYMPICS! 🇹🇴 Mathew 17:20 -Faith”
Technically, the only thing left is for Tonga to name him to the Olympic team but considering there are no other Tongan skiers, I think he has this.
He will be the first Tongan skier in Winter Olympics history. Tonga’s only previous Winter Olympian was Fuahea Semi who finished 32nd out of 39 in the men’s luge event four years ago at the Sochi Games.
However, other countries have Olympic Federations and support groups but not Tonga. Pita will have to fund his own way to South Korea.
If you are so inclined, I urge you to donate anything you might feel appropriate to his GoFundMe here.
If anyone has ever demonstrated Olympic “can-do” spirit, it’s this guy.
