Olympian Johnny Weir Explains Why He Waited So Long To Come Out

January 19, 2018
TREY-PAUL

Last week, it was revealed that Adam Rippon was the first openly gay American figure skater to qualify for Team USA in the Olympic games. While many of us cheered on the super-cute 28-year-old, some were a little peeved that two-time Olympic winner Johnny Weir wasn't considered to have already claimed that title. Now, Weir is setting the record straight (no pun intended) about why he waited until after his time at The Games.

Weir, 33, competed in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Games in Turin, Italy, and Canada, but did not address his sexuality until his 2011 memoir, Welcome to My World. Since then, he has become a devout LGBTQ activist.

The figure skater reached out to other athletes via Twitter to recognize their hard work and endless efforts to compete in this year's Olympic Games, which will take place in PyeongChang, South Korea.

I am so thrilled that there are out representatives of the LGBTQ community competing at the Olympic Games. Notably, @guskenworthy ⛷ & @Adaripp ⛸ among others. It is very brave for all of us to live our truths whether on the global stage or in our own homes.

— Johnny Weir (@JohnnyGWeir) January 18, 2018

Because of the attention on those athletes, many of you have written or tweeted because I am not referred to as “out” at either of my Olympics and in the traditional sense I wasn’t.

— Johnny Weir (@JohnnyGWeir) January 18, 2018

I wear my sexuality the same as I wear my sex or my skin color. It is something that simply is and something I was born into. I never “came out” in sport because I didn’t imagine it as a great secret & it had nothing to do with my skating or my dreams.

— Johnny Weir (@JohnnyGWeir) January 18, 2018

I was extremely lucky to grow up in a family/community of acceptance and perhaps that’s why I don’t see my sexuality as something that needs addressing. I am forever indebted however, to the warriors who came before me that allow me to lead the life I do so openly.

— Johnny Weir (@JohnnyGWeir) January 18, 2018

While Weir is no longer competing, he will be a correspondent for NBC Sports during this year's Olympic Games.