Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Tenth in the scoring, but he definitely took first place as the darling of the 2018 Olympics, judging by thousands of adoring fans worldwide on Twitter.
USA Today reports:
Adam Rippon’s Olympic competition came to an end Saturday but his impact on the Games did not. Minutes after skating a clean free skate that put him in 10th place at the end of the men’s competition, Rippon made an impassioned speech about LGBT rights. From the stands, freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy and his boyfriend Matthew Wilkas were watching on, while proudly waving a rainbow flag.
The role of the gay athlete has come a long way, but Rippon believes more progress lies ahead. “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.”
What a #WinterOlympics for @Adaripp. pic.twitter.com/lqgzWqj41E
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2018
Chills. Chills. Chills. @Adaripp, everyone. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/P7NnC4TAjL
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2018
.@Adaripp your infectious spirit and positive attitude have been an inspiration- Pennsylvania is proud of you! #Olympics
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) February 17, 2018
And @Adaripp absolutely kills it AGAIN in his last performance at #PyeongChang2018 ! pic.twitter.com/by2aTKfk5s
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) February 17, 2018
“He’s the winner of the Olympics.” Adam Rippon stole everyone’s hearts during the Olympics https://t.co/E47mgck1WF
— TIME (@TIME) February 17, 2018
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.
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 17, 2018
Boy does watching Adam Rippon make me cry- authenticity meeting athleticism and artistry- SUBLIME
— Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) February 17, 2018
Pride flags – one held by @guskenworthy – were unfurled as an emotional Adam Rippon salutes the crowd. Beautiful skate #PyeongChang2018 @Adaripp pic.twitter.com/opuisNpJwq
— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) February 17, 2018
.@guskenworthy says that having Adam Rippon and himself competing in the #WinterOlympics is a tremendous opportunity to change how some think about LGBTQ people.
Subscribe to The Podium and listen to every episode: https://t.co/gGGTySAMBT pic.twitter.com/jGqOvMbs9g— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2018
Adam Rippon closed out his run in PyeongChang with an emotional performance and Twitter loved it https://t.co/JcJWvUa7Di
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 17, 2018
About to watch the queen take her crown. @Adaripp pic.twitter.com/n5XgAYASmK
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 17, 2018
Adam Rippon is so powerful we love a gay legend pic.twitter.com/N3Tn3nkM4z
— kent (@uhkent) February 17, 2018