Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy failed to take home a medal in the freestyle event over the weekend, but his experience in PyeongChang seems as though it was very fulfilling.
After he failed to match or improve upon the silver medal he won at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Kenworthy was shown on NBC’s television coverage kissing his boyfriend, Matt Wilkas. Kenworthy didn’t realize the moment was televised until the following day, and he was glad that it was.
Didn't realize this moment was being filmed yesterday but I'm so happy that it was. My childhood self would never have dreamed of seeing a gay kiss on TV at the Olympics but for the first time ever a kid watching at home CAN! Love is love is love. pic.twitter.com/8t0zHjgDg8
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 19, 2018
Kenworthy came out in a 2015 interview with ESPN, and he has been an inspiration to the LGBTQ community since. He and figure skater Adam Rippon became the first openly gay American athletes to participate in the Winter Olympics this year.
“That’s something that I wanted at the last Olympics – to share a kiss with my boyfriend at the bottom – and it was something that I was too scared to do for myself,” Kenworthy told Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. “And so to be able to do that, to give him a kiss, to have that affection broadcasted for the world is incredible. I think that’s the only way to really change perceptions, break down homophobia, break down barriers is through representation. And that’s definitely not something I had as a kid. I definitely didn’t see a gay athlete at the Olympics kissing their boyfriend. And I think if I had, it would’ve made it a lot easier for me.”
Kenworthy also shared a message on social media thanking fans for their support.
Thank you all for the support. I love you. pic.twitter.com/HUky5MSh6W
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 19, 2018
Despite not winning a medal, Kenworthy was a big part of the Olympic coverage in South Korea. On lighter notes, he freaked out about a tweet he received from Britney Spears and took a funny shot at vice president Mike Pence after breaking his thumb. Overall, it would not be a surprise if Kenworthy felt like the 2018 Winter Games made a bigger impact on him than four years ago when he won a silver medal.
