Kenworthy ‘free and liberated’
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea – Gus Kenworthy doesn’t mind answering questions about politics and sexuality.
Which is a good thing considering the majority of the ones asked during the U.S. freeskiing slopestyle team news conference Sunday were directed at him about those things.
One of the hottest topics at these Olympics is gay American figure skater Adam Rippon’s ongoing spat with Vice President Pence, who led the U.S. delegation at the opening ceremony. USA TODAY columnist Christine Brennan reported that Pence was so concerned about criticism he received from Rippon regarding his history with the LGBT community that his staff asked the USOC to set up a meeting between the two. Rippon declined.
Kenworthy was asked Sunday what he would do if he were asked to have a meeting with Pence. The American freestyle skier came out in 2015 the year after winning a silver medal in the 2014 Sochi Games.
“I don’t think I have any inclination for a meeting,” he said. “I think in terms of distractions, that would be a much bigger distraction for me, and I’m just focused on competing.’’
Rippon and Kenworthy are the first two openly gay U.S. Winter Olym- pians. Not only did the two athletes meet, but they took a bunch of photos at the opening ceremony and posted them on social media.
Kenworthy’s Instagram post made news when he took a shot at Pence in his caption.
“I feel incredibly honored to be here in Korea competing for the US and I’m so proud to be representing the LGBT community alongside this amazing guy,” Kenworthy wrote. “Eat your heart out, Pence.”
Kenworthy said it’s not difficult for him to separate his feelings on these topics and preparing for slopestyle competition.
“I’ve always been someone who’s had to compartmentalize my life because I was in the closet and I was in fear of outing myself,” Kenworthy said. “Now that I’m out, I have less to compartmentalize.