Corey praises gay Olympian

FIGURE SKATER Adam Rippon — the first openly gay athlete to compete for the United States in the Winter Olympics — was lauded as an inspiration at City Hall Friday by Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“You’ve captured the imaginations and hearts of straight people and gay people and have shown us that through bravery, hard work and grace we can all become the best of ourselves,” Johnson, who is also gay, said. “But you are especially a role model to LGBT young people, a role model for these kids who want to be the next Adam.”

Johnson presented Rippon — who won a bronze medal at this year’s Olympics — with a proclamation at the event, held in the midst of New York’s Gay Pride Month.

“To so many LGBTQ kids out there who struggle hard to become comfortable and to become who they truly are, you have been the answer to their collective prayers,” Johnson said.

Rippon (photo) said he didn’t think of himself as a hero. “I’ve realized that bravery and courage, they come from a place of being confident, and they come from a place of being honest,” he said.