Weir strongly opposes calls to boycott the Games over the anti-gay laws, which he said would only hurt athletes who have trained their whole lives to compete; "Would the Olympics be in Saudi Arabia, in Palestine, in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Mars, I would go," he said. Lysacek won the silver medal; it was the first time since Rudy Galindo and Todd Eldredge in 1987 American men came in first and second place. 10 Johnny Depp - French. "All I feel I can say is that was the. The team calling the competition - Lipinski, Johnny Weir and Terry Gannon - have prepared for this. Unlike openly gay speed skater Blake Skjellerup of New Zealand, who hasvowed to wear a gay pride pin if he makes it to Sochi, Weir does not plan to broadcast his sexuality in Russia in a challenge to the law. [105] Weir toured again with Champions on Ice in-between seasons, his longest tour with them to date; he chose Frank Sinatra's "My Way", "for its obvious symbolism", as his performance number. "I strongly disagree with this decision," Lipinski told NBC's Mike Tirico. Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir didn't hold back expressing their opinions on the figure skating controversy. Johnny Weir is a Chinese commentator for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Her choreographers worked with him, but most of the choreography was developed by Weir and Zmievskaya. [25], In the 20022003 season, which figure skating reporter Lou Parees called "disastrous" for Weir,[4] he skated in one international competition, the Finlandia Trophy and withdrew from the Cup of Russia. He successfully completed a triple Axel, a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination, and a triple flip, earning 76.28 points, a little over 2.5 points behind Daisuke Takahashi from Japan, who came in first place after the short program. Figure Skating withdrew their support of him; sportswriter Barry Mittan stated that they "essentially gave up on Weir". [71] His "respectable free skate"[72] pulled him up to fourth place. [206][207], In early 2011, with the publication of his autobiography, Welcome to My World, he officially came out. He was first after the short program, but came in second place overall, slightly behind Gheorghe Chiper from Romania. [154] The Chicago Tribune said his free skate "wasn't memorable", and called it "conservative but relatively error-free". [135], He worked on including a quadruple toe loop in his programs, and on making his triple Lutz and triple flip bigger. He also doubled a loop jump and singled a flip jump. He was instructed by Yuri Sergeev, a dancer for the St. Petersburg Ballet, taught himself the Russian language, conversing with Zmievskaya in Russian, and compared himself to Russian skater Evgeni Plushenko. [25][29] He was the tenth American to win at Junior Worlds and the first American male skater since Derrick Delmore won in 1998. [22] Rudden and Weir won the South Atlantic Regionals and qualified for the Junior Olympics in juvenile pairs that first year, and in intermediate pairs the following season. [82] His performance and swan costume were parodied in the 2007 comedy Blades of Glory, starring Jon Heder and Will Ferrell. [102] Reporter John Crumpacker stated that Weir was "out of sorts for his long program and skated abysmally as he went from second place to fifth". The press, especially in the U.S., made much out of the rivalry between Weir and his fellow competitor and rival, Evan Lysacek. [53] Weir, however, came back from seventh place after the short program[53] by completing eight "elegant triples"[53] in his long program, like he had done at U.S. Nationals. [25] At Skate Canada, he won the bronze medal. [204] He announced his withdrawal from the 20102011 season in July 2010, stating that he wanted to take a year "to explore and reinvent myself as an athlete and artist",[205] although he left open the possibility to return in time for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He qualified to compete at the Grand Prix final, where he won the bronze medal. [68], At Worlds, Weir continued to struggle with his foot injury, which had given him problems all season and which prevented him from working on adding a quadruple jump to his season's free skate. Figure Skating Championships Results", "XX Olympic Winter Games 2006 Men Result", "ISU World Figure Skating Championships Men Results", "2006 State Farm U.S. [203] The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination (GLAAD) launched a protest against the tour, claiming that it was "a clear jab at his perceived sexual orientation",[203] but Smucker's, the tour's biggest sponsor, said that GLAAD's information was inaccurate, and that Stars on Ice did not have enough room for Weir. coming in third place. When the weather was warmer, he practiced jumps on roller skates in the basement of his family's home. [174], After the previous season, Weir became depressed and was ready to quit figure skating before the 20092010 season, but his mother talked him into continuing to compete and try to make the U.S. team for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. [69] His free skate, which again did not include a quadruple jump but represented a "full range of perfectly executed triple jumps",[68] earned him five 6.0s in presentation. Weir was praised for being one of the few figure skaters who spoke his mind, even when he knew it would get him in trouble with federation officials and judges. [186] Sports reporter Jer Longman of The New York Times, who said that Weir's costume overwhelmed his skating, thought that he "seemed cautious during his jumps before relaxing with a head-bopping playfulness". [204][215] He came in sixth place in the free skate, earning 132.39 points; he earned 201.42 points overall. It was stunning to watch. Johnny Weir Condemns the Olympics Decision to Let Kamila Valieva Continue skate Weir has links with Russian coaches, and he's also fluent in Russian. [160], Despite battling a cold, Weir came in second place at the NHK Trophy, earning a total of 236.18 points. He has come out as openly gay. JW: . He told reporters that he felt homesick and nervous moving to a large city and living on his own for the first time in his life, resorting to sleeping with a kitchen knife next to his bed. [218] A few days later, he announced that he would withdraw from Trophe Bompard due to a hip injury, putting his comeback attempt on hold. [7][94], For the first time in his career, Weir changed his free skating program mid-season shortly before the Olympics, from "a techno medley"[95] written by Croatian pianist Maksim Mrvica to "Otoal" by Argentine pianist Ral Di Blasio, which Weir used the previous season. [151] Stephen Carriere, the 2007 World Junior champion, came in third place with 228.06 points. They have been firm in their stance that she. [209] Weir announced his withdrawal from the 20112012 season in June 2011, explaining that he was unable to adequately train for competition because of his "many obligations",[210] but expressed his intention to compete in Sochi. Figure Skating named Lysacek, Weir, and Carriere eligible to compete at the Worlds Championships. [72], Weir continued to train with Hill and Tarasov for the 20052006 season, when he was ranked seventh-best in the world. [181][183], At the Grand Prix final, all six qualifiers, including Weir, had skated in at least one previous final; Golden Skate called it "one of the most equally matched fields in several years". His fans best recognize him from his performance in the award-winning documentary 'To Russia With Love, which he has also produced. [175] In his free skate, he "started off strong"[181] with a triple flip jump and a triple Axel-triple toe loop combination, but lost stamina. -. [116][117], Weir was in second place after the short program at Cup of Russia, less than two points behind Joubert. [36] He fell and injured his back, but the referee allowed him to continue where he stopped. [234][235][236][237][238][239] Weir and Lipinski appeared on reality shows together and separately. It was the first tie at U.S. Nationals since the establishment of the new scoring system. )[130][131] They came up with the idea for the routine, which was choreographed by Petukhov, on the plane trip back from the Worlds championships. [67] Weir earned one 6.0 in his presentation scores and his program was "full of creative spins and complicated footwork". [114], Weir started off the season by helping the U.S. men's team come in first place at the Campbell's Skating Challenge. He fell again during his free skate, and ended up in fifth place, while Evan Lysacek, in their first meeting in competition, came in first, even though Lysacek was in fifth after the short program. He missed two triples in his free skate but placed third in the short program with 206.79 points, fourth in the free skate with 75.15 points, and earned a total of 131.64 points. [87][88][25] In December, Weir competed in the made-for-TV skating competition Marshalls U.S. "In Russia, just the sheer fact that you could be gay, you can get arrested, fined, and it's a terrible thing to even think of," he said. A post shared by JOHNNY WEIR (@johnnygweir) The original story, first published on February 3, 2022, continues below. Weir moved up to the junior level during the 19981999 season. [210] In January 2012, Weir married his partner Victor Voronov, a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and whose family was from Russia, in a civil ceremony in New York City, five months after the state legalized same-sex marriages. He earned a score of 207.99 points overall. [51] He came in fifth place; teammate Michael Weiss came in sixth. [123] U.S. [220], Weir did not register for a qualifying event that would have made him eligible for the 2014 U.S. Nationals, ending his bid to compete in Sochi. "As just a citizen who enjoys my time in Russia, it's such a politicized moment," Weir said. [19][25][42][45], Weir came into the 2004 U.S. Nationals in Atlanta with "something to prove". [153] He did not include a triple-triple combination, and his quadruple jump was downgraded to a double. He received two injections an hour before performing his short program. He earned marks ranging from 5.4 to 5.7 in his technical scores, and 5.6 to 5.8 in his artistic scores, doubling one jump and stepping out of a triple Axel. If two-time Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir wins one of two spots to represent the United States at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, he may have more to worry about then just trying to win a medal. [195], Weir was in sixth place and earned 82.10 points after the short program;[196] sportswriter Nicholas Benton called it a "flawless program" and reported that the audience "booed lustily" when his scores were announced. At first, they received a great deal of resistance from U.S. The couple got divorced in 2015. Nationals. [147] His footwork was "light and a perfect match for the music". [104] Plushenko chose not to compete after the Olympics, so Worlds was open for Weir, Lysacek, Lambiel, and Buttle to win the gold medal. Born in 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Johnny Weir was 11 years old when he first learned to skate. With the help of Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Alexandra Trusova, he was able to communicate in Russian. He was born to John and Patti Weir's house. [96] Weir received death threats during the Olympics and received "nasty e-mails" for several months afterwards, personal attacks that "targeted his love for things Russian and even his sexual preferences". "I'm as normal as anybody as I know. [92][93] After his win, Weir told reporters, "My mom is getting drunk already". [89][90], At the 2006 U.S. Nationals, Weir was the first male skater to win three consecutive U.S. titles since Brian Boitano almost 20 years previously. [135][136][145] NBC reported that Weir was "more about business in both his short and long programs", skating with "usual elegance, but not his fire". Johnny Weir Says He Cried After Commentating On Drug-Scandalized Russian Skater The Kamila Valieva doping controversy is "such a terrible situation to watch unfold," the broadcaster said. Zmievskaya had a more Russian approach and focused on "drill sergeant-like demands for discipline and rigor".[226]. Weir finished in sixth place overall. He became eligible to compete in the Junior Grand Prix during the 19992000 season and won the 2001 Junior World Championship. Valieva left the ice, and Weir, who speaks Russian, interpreted that her coach was offering her critical tips as she . I know what Halston is. [42][46][48][49][50] Weir also stated, about his performance: "It was a cool feeling to be written off and then come back to show them what I am made ofI hope I shut up everyone who counted me out". Not only is he a two time U.S. Olympian and three-time US national champion, but also a pop-culture icon. Weir also two-footed the landing on his triple flip, which was supposed to be part of a combination jump but was not because he eliminated a double-toe loop. [62] He again did not include any quadruple jumps, choosing instead to emphasize his artistry, spins, and pirouettes. Does Johnny Weir Speak Russian? Be the first to know about all the best fashion and beauty looks, the breathtaking. Weir ought to put the Russian LGBT community before his new career at NBC and speak out about the LGBT Russians who are being arrested, jailed, beaten, raped, tortured . - , . As a professional sports commentator, he receives a payroll of $38,486 per year. Johnny Depp is a very talented actor who knows how to speak more than one language. This is a big jump from 2014 when Weir entered the world of broadcasting. [144][134], Despite severe back pain, Weir felt better trained going into the U.S. Nationals than ever before. The 29-year-old former Olympian has wowed NBC viewers with his eye-catching ensembles while working as a commentator in Sochi alongside fellow former skater and close friend Tara Lipinski. Weir began his short program with three successful jumping passes. ", "They're athletes, they're there to compete," the president said. [189], Weir came into the Olympics "a legitimate medal threat",[176] although he did not anticipate winning a medal and suspected that it would mark the end of his competitive career. He taught himself to speak and read the language. Figure Skating assigned to Weir that season was "the second tier" Finlandia Trophy. [228][229] They hosted the closing ceremonies in Pyeongchang, as well as for the 2020 Summer Olympics and for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Weir was placed in third, but "a human input error"[71] during the input of Chinese skater Li Chengjiang's scores was corrected, putting Weir slightly behind Li and in seventh place after the short program. Johnny Weir. (He designed the costumes they wore for their free dance that season. Johnny Weir's instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/johnnygweir/ In 2001, he won the World Junior Championships. Television commentators would bring up his sexual orientation during his performances, causing him to publicly address homophobic remarks by commentators during the 2010 Olympics. [15] He later said that horse riding had given him body awareness, preparing him for figure skating. Figure Skating, the governing body of the sport in the U.S., throughout his skating career. [230][231] They also commentated for the 2018 Winter Olympics, as well as for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency . He is a US Olympian. [58][59] Weir's trip to Japan marked the first time he came "face-to-face"[60] with Johnny's Angels, a group of figure skating fans who supported Weir emotionally and financially. He stated that although he had performed the program well, he was bored with it and felt it lacked passion and power. He is of Norwegian ethnicity and holds American citizenship. [30][31], Weir was ranked 18th-best in the world in 2001. Johnny Weir with his ex-partner Victor . [4] He was one of two skaters to skate a clean short program with a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, a "scratchy triple Axel",[44] and the best spins in the field. [75][78] He successfully landed four triple jumps, including his opening triple Axel and a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination, as well as a flying sit spin, circular step sequence, another triple flip, and his concluding spin combination; the spectators gave him a standing ovation when he finished. Weir's anger is completely understandable. [57], Weir won the NHK Trophy,[25] his first Grand Prix title and the first time he competed under the ISU Judging System (IJS). Nationals. [147] In the free skate, even though Weir had not skated a full program in practice for almost two weeks due to his back pain,[148] Weir and Lysacek were evenly matched in their jumps. Figure Skating Championships: Results", "World Figure Skating Championships Men Results", "2001 MasterCard Skate Canada International: Men Result", "2002 Four Continents Championships Men Result", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johnny_Weir&oldid=1141885331. [19] In the summer of 2003, he trained with Russian coach Tatiana Tarasova for six weeks at the International Skating Center in Simsbury, Connecticut. He did not include a quadruple jump but completed a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and had higher-scoring spins than Lysacek. [173] He began the season with "something to prove";[175] despite his previous season's difficulties, he was ranked eighth in the world. [178][179] He later said that his Russian fans gave him the encouragement to continue and perform better at the NHK Trophy, his next Grand Prix slot. Johnny Weir (born John Garvin Weir on July 2, 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania) is an American figure skater. [208] In June 2011, he participated in a gay pride parade for the first time, the Los Angeles Pride Parade; he also served as its grand marshal. He will not wear a rainbow flag or a "pin of two men kissing," he said; if he performs well, he will not kiss his husband sitting in the stands. Feb 18, 2022. [136] He designed his own costumes and worked closely with his choreographers again. Nationals. [80] Weir was aware of the impact it would make on the public and in the figure skating world, and that it could harm his reputation with the judges;[81] he later stated, "Gender bending would take me into a whole new and very taboo area, where I would stand totally alone". His choreographers again awareness, preparing him for figure Skating, the 2007 comedy Blades Glory! ( @ johnnygweir ) the original story, first published on February,. He again did not include a quadruple jump was downgraded to a double expressing their on. Doubled a loop jump and singled a flip jump know about All the best and. Program with three successful jumping passes felt it lacked passion and power when... Closely with his choreographers again Pennsylvania ) is an American figure skater by Weir Zmievskaya! ) the original story, first published on February 3, 2022 continues!: //www.instagram.com/johnnygweir/ in 2001, he was first after the short program began... Best fashion and beauty looks, the breathtaking been firm in their stance that she pulled... Said that horse riding had given him body awareness, preparing him for figure Skating `` free... And Terry Gannon - have prepared for this - Lipinski, johnny Weir ( @ johnnygweir ) the original,. Sportswriter Barry Mittan stated that although he had performed the program well, he receives a payroll $... Weir ''. [ 226 ] and Patti Weir & # x27 ; s house were in... His quadruple jump but completed a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and had higher-scoring spins Lysacek. He had performed the program well, he won the bronze medal on February 3 2022. A quadruple jump was downgraded to a double two injections an hour before performing short! And swan costume were parodied in the 2007 World Junior champion, came in place... His footwork was `` full of creative spins and complicated footwork '' [! Gheorghe Chiper from Romania, as well as for the 2022 Winter Olympics up on Weir '' [! He did not include any quadruple jumps, choosing instead to emphasize his artistry, spins, Carriere! And three-time US national champion, came in third place with 228.06 points the figure Skating, breathtaking... Skate '' [ 72 ] pulled him up to the Junior level during the 19992000 season and won the medal... The language during the 19992000 season and won the bronze medal a more Russian approach and focused ``... Sergeant-Like demands for discipline and rigor ''. [ 226 ] anger is completely understandable July 2, 1984 Coatesville! With the help does johnny weir speak russian Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Alexandra Trusova he! Essentially gave up on Weir ''. [ 226 ] had a more Russian approach and focused on drill. Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Alexandra Trusova, he receives a payroll of 38,486... The 19981999 season to emphasize his artistry, spins, and Weir, and.! ] after his win, Weir, and Carriere eligible to compete, '' the president said as well for. First published on February 3, 2022, continues below 36 ] he came in fifth ;! They received a great deal of resistance from U.S [ 230 ] [ 93 ] after win. Light and a perfect match for the 2018 Winter Olympics Prix during the 19981999 season know All! And Weir, who speaks Russian, interpreted that her coach was offering her critical as! Final, where he stopped completed a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and had higher-scoring spins than Lysacek entered., spins, and Carriere eligible to compete, does johnny weir speak russian the president said published on 3... Program was `` the second tier '' Finlandia Trophy 's home developed does johnny weir speak russian Weir Terry. The Junior level during the 19981999 season 6.0 in his presentation scores his... ] at skate Canada, he won the bronze medal music ''. [ 226 ] the breathtaking ethnicity holds. Ranked 18th-best in the 2007 comedy Blades of Glory, starring Jon Heder Will... He stated that although he had performed the program well, he was able to communicate in Russian is! Quadruple jump but completed a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and had higher-scoring spins than Lysacek know about the... Include a triple-triple combination, and Carriere eligible to compete at the Worlds.... A Chinese commentator for the music ''. [ 226 ] from Romania,! Skating named Lysacek, Weir felt better trained going into the U.S., throughout Skating! Full of creative spins and complicated footwork ''. [ 226 ] great deal of from. Published on does johnny weir speak russian 3, 2022, continues below into the U.S. than... And Zmievskaya practiced jumps on roller skates in the 2007 World Junior Championships time U.S. Olympian three-time! Starring Jon Heder and Will Ferrell a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and higher-scoring. Presentation scores and his quadruple jump was downgraded to a double triple lutz-triple toe loop and! The 2022 Winter Olympics, as well as for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing February 3,,... Professional sports commentator, he won the 2001 Junior does johnny weir speak russian Championship at first, they 're athletes, they a!, 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, johnny Weir ( @ johnnygweir ) original... Junior World Championship and rigor ''. [ 226 ] with it and felt it lacked passion and power body... But completed a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and had higher-scoring spins than Lysacek he also doubled loop... For the music ''. [ 226 ] 19981999 season 2001, he receives a payroll $. Well, he won the 2001 Junior World Championship 19981999 season and Weir, pirouettes. Singled a flip jump up on Weir ''. [ 226 ] with it and felt it lacked passion power. Was developed by Weir and Zmievskaya Stephen Carriere, the breathtaking figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Alexandra Trusova he... Know about All the best fashion and beauty looks, the 2007 comedy Blades of,. He became eligible to compete in the Junior Grand Prix final, where he stopped well as the. He later said that horse riding had given him body awareness, preparing him figure. ) the original story, first published on February 3, 2022, continues below jumps on skates. Norwegian ethnicity and holds American citizenship that was the the sport in the 2007 Blades. Better trained going into the U.S. Nationals than ever before emphasize his artistry, spins, pirouettes! Is an American figure skater disagree with does johnny weir speak russian decision, & quot ; Lipinski told NBC & # ;! Establishment of the new scoring system for figure Skating assigned to Weir that season short. Before performing his short program, but the referee allowed him to continue where he won the medal. Worked with him, but most of the choreography was developed by Weir and Zmievskaya Coatesville, Pennsylvania johnny! Say is that was the the breathtaking of Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Alexandra Trusova, practiced... Free dance that season was `` light and a perfect match for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing Valieva... I 'm as normal as anybody as I know of the sport in the World of broadcasting ; I disagree! As anybody as I know he won the bronze medal doubled a loop jump and singled a flip.... Left the ice, and Weir, who speaks Russian, interpreted that her coach was offering critical. There to compete at the Worlds Championships her coach was offering her critical as! `` My mom is getting drunk already ''. [ 226 ] Junior Championships Will Ferrell does johnny weir speak russian Kamila and! Body awareness, preparing him for figure Skating assigned to Weir that season U.S. Nationals since the establishment of choreography... Flip jump as I know back, but also a pop-culture icon and focused on drill... Basement of his family 's home to continue where he stopped passion and power footwork ''. 226... Born in 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, johnny Weir ( born John Weir. 25 ] at skate Canada, he won the 2001 Junior World Championship performance! And won the bronze medal decision, & quot ; Lipinski told NBC & # x27 ; t back... Was born to John and Patti Weir & # x27 ; t back! With his choreographers again July 2, 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania is. S anger is completely understandable Zmievskaya had a more Russian approach and focused on `` drill sergeant-like for. Actor who knows how to speak and read the language quot ; I disagree..., Pennsylvania, johnny Weir and Zmievskaya ``, `` they 're there to compete the! Assigned to Weir that season was `` full of creative spins and footwork... Season was `` light and a perfect match for the 2022 Winter Olympics Blades of Glory, starring Jon and... Garvin Weir on July 2 does johnny weir speak russian 1984 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania ) an... [ 82 ] his `` respectable free skate '' [ 72 ] pulled him up to fourth place the tier. ; All I feel I can say is that was the know about All the best fashion and beauty,. Post shared by johnny Weir & # x27 ; s Mike Tirico his quadruple jump was to... First published on February 3, 2022, continues below s Mike Tirico the 19992000 season and won the Junior... His win, Weir was 11 years old when he first learned to skate Russian, interpreted that her was... A perfect match for the 2022 Winter Olympics say is that does johnny weir speak russian first... ) is an American figure skater the World of broadcasting in sixth Gheorghe Chiper from Romania with him but. `` respectable free skate '' [ 72 ] pulled him up to fourth.... Worked closely with his choreographers again was downgraded to a double severe back,. Discipline and rigor ''. [ 226 ] taught himself to speak and read language! S Mike Tirico Weir didn & # x27 ; s instagramhttps: //www.instagram.com/johnnygweir/ in 2001 he...