No Images? Click here James Michael Nichols is the Editor of HuffPost Queer Voices.Hey Queer Voices readers! We hope you're staying warm.Story by Curtis M. Wong Figure skater Adam Rippon made history Sunday as the first openly gay U.S. man to qualify for the Winter Olympics. Rippon, 28, was selected to join fellow skaters Nathan Chen and Vincent Zhou in representing the U.S. at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, next month. The Pennsylvania native’s selection came as a surprise to some, given that he came in fourth place at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Saturday. U.S. Figure Skating President Sam Auxier cited Rippon’s body of work in selecting him over Ross Miner, 26, who came in second place, yet has “struggled in international competition.” Rippon told The Washington Post he was “really grateful” to have been chosen, noting, “I feel that my experience will help me have my best performances at the Olympic Games, and it feels amazing to say that.”His placement is historically significant for another reason, too. Though Chen, 18, and Zhou, 17, are also making their Olympic debuts, Rippon is the oldest American figure skating rookie to compete in the Winter Games since 1936. “I’m so excited that my two sons are doing so well. I’m honored to be their father,” Rippon quipped. “I always sort of feel like a leader or a big brother.” He may not be the only queer athlete heading to Pyeongchang from the U.S. in February. Freeskier Gus Kenworthy, who came out as gay in 2015, is expected to find out later this month if he’s made the cut on the U.S. ski team. While Rippon makes history as the first openly gay man to qualify, a number of Olympic figure skaters have come out as LGBTQ after their competitive days have ended. Want more? Head here. Get all of the queer news that matters to you.Don't miss out — subscribe here! Like what you see? Help us spread the world! Can't get enough? Here are two more newsletters we think you'd dig. Check out HuffPost Politics and HuffPost (In)formation. |
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