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Team Supports Olympic Medalist

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
October, 22 2015

NEW YORK CITY (Oct. 22, 2015) – Teammates and officials rallied in support of slopestyle skier Gus Kenworthy (Telluride, CO) after the Olympic medalist was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine coming out as gay. He is one of the first Winter Olympic medalists to do so. Kenworthy, the 2014 silver medalist in slopestyle skiing, chose to use the platform to not only express his own preferences, but to encourage others in his situation to do the same.

 

I am gay. Wow, it feels good to write those words. For most of my life I’ve been afraid to embrace that truth about myself. Recently though, I’ve gotten to the point where the pain of holding onto the lie is greater than the fear of letting go, and I’m proud to finally be letting my guard down. My sexuality has been something I’ve struggled to come to terms with. I’ve known I was gay since I was a kid but growing up in a town of 2,000 people, a class of 48 kids and then turning pro as an athlete when I was 16, it just wasn’t something I wanted to accept. I pushed my feelings away in the hopes that it was a passing phase but the thought of being found out kept me up at night. I constantly felt anxious, depressed and even suicidal. Looking back, it’s crazy to see how far I’ve come. For most of my life I’ve dreaded the day that people would find out I was gay. Now, I couldn’t be more excited to tell you all the truth. Whether you've suspected it all along or it's a complete shock, it’s important for me to be open and honest with you all. Y’all have supported me through a lot of my highs and lows and I hope you'll stay by my side as I make this transformation into the genuine me - the me that I’ve always really been. I am so thankful to @ESPN for giving me this opportunity and to Alyssa Roenigk for telling my story to the world. I think about the pain I put myself through by closeting myself for so long and it breaks my heart. If only I knew then what I know now: that the people who love you, who really care about you, will be by your side no matter what; and, that those who aren’t accepting of you are not the people you want or need in your life anyway. Part of the reason I had such a difficult time as a kid was that I didn’t know anyone in my position and didn’t have someone to look up to, who’s footsteps I could follow in. I hope to be that person for a younger generation, to model honesty and transparency and to show people that there’s nothing cooler than being yourself and embracing the things that make you unique. Click the link in my bio to read the full story and keep your eyes peeled for the Nov issue on newsstands soon!

A photo posted by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on

“We’ve long admired Gus Kenworthy’s courage as an athlete, pioneering a new sport to win an Olympic medal,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “Today, we admire Gus for having the strength to tell the world who he is as a person, and paving the way for others to do the same.”

The article was authored by ESPN’s Alyssa Roenigk, one of the most highly regarded writers in action sports.

“Gus is one of the best skiers in the world,” said U.S. Freeskiing teammate Joss Christensen, who shared the Olympic podium with Kenworthy. “He’s also one of my best friends and a great teammate. I’m just happy for Gus that he can be who he is. It’s a brave and strong thing for him to do and this gives me so much respect for him.”

Gus’ story is part of ESPN’s ongoing series exploring what it means to be an openly gay athlete in the post-acceptance world. The full article is available at espn.go.com.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Olympic silver medalist Gus Kenworthy received a flood of support on Thursday after being featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine coming out as gay. 
  • Kenworthy is one of the first Winter Olympic medalists to come out.
  • The article was authored by ESPN’s Alyssa Roenigk, one of the most highly regarded writers in action sports.
  • Gus’ story is part of ESPN’s ongoing series exploring what it means to be an openly gay athlete in the post-acceptance world. The full article is available at espn.go.com.

QUOTES
Tiger Shaw, President and CEO, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association
We’ve long admired Gus Kenworthy’s courage as an athlete, pioneering a new sport to win an Olympic medal. Today, we admire Gus for having the strength to tell the world who he is as a person, and paving the way for others to do the same.

Skogen Sprang, U.S. Freeskiing Slopestyle Skiing Coach
It’s got to take a lot of courage and be really hard for Gus to make this announcement. But on the team, we all support each other and we’re excited to continue to do our thing on the hill. With this weight off his shoulders, I’m excited to see what he’ll do with his skiing.

Joss Christensen, Olympic gold medalist, slopestyle skiing
Gus is one of the best skiers in the world. He’s also one of my best friends and a great teammate. I’m just happy for Gus that he can be who he is. It’s a brave and strong thing for him to do and this gives me so much respect for him.

Bobby Brown, Olympian, slopestyle skiing
This is going to make his life a lot easier. It’s got to be tough holding on to something like this for a long time and I know it’s been a big weight on his shoulders. So, it’s going to be cool for him to be his true self and for everyone to know him at the core. It’s going to take a lot of weight off his shoulders and he’s going to be a lot happier in life and in skiing. 

I think it’s going to be received in a positive light, and that there will be an outpouring of support in our community and at the end of the day people are going to focus on Gus Kenworthy being one of the best skiers in the world.  

FRIENDS, TEAMMATES AND MEDIA SUPPORT GUS KENWORTHY

@guskenworthy: I am gay. pic.twitter.com/b5FjemMtDE” We're proud of you, Gus.

— FREESKIER Magazine (@Freeskier) October 22, 2015

So proud and amazing to see you so strong !!!!@guskenworthy couldn't be happier for you https://t.co/VNSdHe5yfD

— Chlo Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) October 22, 2015

Olympic freeskier and X Games star Gus Kenworthy first openly gay action sports athlete https://t.co/qRbJdUOqPD

— ESPN Olympics (@ESPNOlympics) October 22, 2015

Proud of you @guskenworthy! You're the man!

— Tom Wallisch (@TWallisch) October 22, 2015

This is a really excellent magazine cover. Powerful image. https://t.co/J7ScIGetWa

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) October 22, 2015

Olympic slopestyle silver medalist Gus Kenworthy comes out as gay https://t.co/QG6DfbgllH

— ESPN Olympics (@ESPNOlympics) October 22, 2015

So proud of you @guskenworthy You have always impressed me with your skiing, kindness and courage. But today, I am in awe.

— Grete Eliassen (@GRETEGIRL) October 22, 2015

Proud to be a skier today. Proud of you, @guskenworthy. And you too, @ESPN_Alyssa. https://t.co/NIKHbD1QmK

— Megan Michelson (@skiingmegan) October 22, 2015

Really happy because @guskenworthy is the man! So proud of you. It takes courage. Legend.

— Michelle Parker (@MyshellParker) October 22, 2015

As good a time as any to re-watch @guskenworthy's winning HP run - maybe best ever - at @iridepc Grand Prix in Feb https://t.co/NRL9uoegLK

— Andy Miller (@AndyMacMiller) October 22, 2015

Gus you are the man! So proud of you for this I know it couldn't have been easy but we're all supporting you #GoGus https://t.co/jclEbTrhzX

— sage kotsenburg (@sagekotsenburg) October 22, 2015

.@guskenworthy We are PROUD to say you are part of #TeamUSA! pic.twitter.com/RKD49HQtiW

— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) October 22, 2015

What an amazing act of courage by @guskenworthy for coming out. You have all of our support! https://t.co/Ngx1lbKOdc pic.twitter.com/uI86tq2AxV

— Universal Sports (@universalsports) October 22, 2015

Big news in #NYC today @guskenworthy @espn @ESPN_Alyssa #TimesSquare pic.twitter.com/DWLKA1Z6id

— Mike Douglas (@MikeDski) October 22, 2015

Meet @usfreeskiing's @guskenworthy! We are PROUD to say you are a part of #TeamUSA! https://t.co/ywOvvgLigu

— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) October 22, 2015

- My man. F*ck yeah @guskenworthy https://t.co/EK1hAjoeF2

— TJ Schiller (@tjschiller) October 22, 2015
 

Proud to call you my brother @guskenworthy . Only up from here. #beyourself #family

A photo posted by Bobby Brown (@bobby_brown1) on

So proud of you and happy for you @guskenworthy. Congratulations on the courage and freedom to be yourself. https://t.co/22FuEHHSGg

— Jeff Schmuck (@jeffschmuck) October 22, 2015

My social media is covered with @guskenworthy and let's just say I'm not mad about it. #GoGus #LoveIsLove

— Meg Olenick (@themegamo) October 22, 2015

@guskenworthy Proud of you, never stop being who you are! Much love from your #GoPro family.

— GoPro (@GoPro) October 22, 2015

I couldn't be any more enamored with you @guskenworthy For the person & athlete you've always been & the message you're sending the world.

— Kristi Leskinen (@KristiLeskinen) October 22, 2015

Way to go @guskenworthy you stomped it!

— Jonny Moseley (@jonnymoseley) October 22, 2015

Good on ya Gus, respect for being true to yourself! https://t.co/t1CKX8fOrW

— Jon Olsson (@JonOlsson) October 22, 2015