Rippon is a complicated, outspoken, unlikely Olympian. He's also gay.

[Rock2]

Having listened to decades of US athletes giving cut and paste answers based on media training, Adam is a nice breath of fresh air.

I will give you that. Fair point.
Prob has something to do with why the media gravitates to him. No one else is giving them anything to chew on.

Luckily the men's event is next up. If he scrambles his way to a top 5 then his exposure on this kind of stage is justified. If he's 11th the media may move on to other stories. It'll soon be settled.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Throughout the last few seasons I have admired how hard Adam has worked to maximize and showcase his talent, but I'm quickly becoming so over him and how overexposed he is. His interviews are becoming a bit much, as well, as he's sensing every word he utters is a brand building exercise.

Love the guy but I'm kinda done. Unfollowed him in social media bc I just can't.
Happy for him to get exposure but my preference would be that it be to the level consistent with other athletes with the same outcome potential.

Luckily the men's event is next up. If he scrambles his way to a top 5 then his exposure on this kind of stage is justified. If he's 11th the media may move on to other stories. It'll soon be settled.

We'll really see how effective Adam's exposure is in about a month or two. Most of the public forgets about most of these Olympics stories by then.

 

[berthesghost]

We'll really see how effective Adam's exposure is in about a month or two. Most of the public forgets about most of these Olympics stories by then.

I think it's more about the press and drumming these names into our heads like pop song earworms. Back in 76 they hammered Hamil so strong you'd want to throw up if you heard her name one more time. Same with Shawn White in 06. Now they're still two of the biggest names in Olympic coverage. Compare that with like Evan, who apparently the press would rather cover paint drying than give a story to. In fact the NYT just ran a story on Sasha doing laundry on Sundays

 

[BittyBug]

Luckily the men's event is next up. If he scrambles his way to a top 5 then his exposure on this kind of stage is justified. If he's 11th the media may move on to other stories. It'll soon be settled.

Maybe he’s getting the exposure because he has something to say. The Olympics are about more than just the top level athletes, and thank goodness for that because otherwise we wouldn’t get stories like this:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/who-knew-a-tongan-cross-country-skier-could-be-so-engaging-with-his-shirt-on/2018/02/14/c051a408-115f-11e8-9570-29c9830535e5_story.htm

 

[livetoskate]

I think it's more about the press and drumming these names into our heads like pop song earworms. Back in 76 they hammered Hamil so strong you'd want to throw up if you heard her name one more time. Same with Shawn White in 06. Now they're still two of the biggest names in Olympic coverage. Compare that with like Evan, who apparently the press would rather cover paint drying than give a story to. In fact the NYT just ran a story on Sasha doing laundry on Sundays

Ahh, but that article on Sasha (doing laundry, where she eats & hangs out, etc.) did mention that sometimes she meets up with Evan, since they've known each other for so long and he lives in NYC also. That prompted a skatefan on the yahoo group to speculate that they should be dating!

 

[Anita18]

Maybe he’s getting the exposure because he has something to say. The Olympics are about more than just the top level athletes, and thank goodness for that because otherwise we wouldn’t get stories like this:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/who-knew-a-tongan-cross-country-skier-could-be-so-engaging-with-his-shirt-on/2018/02/14/c051a408-115f-11e8-9570-29c9830535e5_story.htm

Alf is a skateboarder (wrong kind of skater, I know, sad since he has the perfect body type for figure skating but ANYWAY...). Often, the most technically able skateboarders aren't the most famous, nor do they necessarily get the most sponsors. You have to have personality too.

Adam being a media darling just reminded me of that. People like him make sports fun. And also take some of the hype off of other athletes like Nathan, who may otherwise be crushed by expectations.

 

[MacMadame]

I'm finding Adam mostly annoying in interviews at these Olympics. Except for his Level 4 trolling of the even more annoying Andrea Joyce.

 

[Justathoughtabl]

I love Adam, although I've been thinking there will be a backlash when people start accusing him of attention seeking and building a brand. (I see nothing wrong with it. You have charisma? Use it.) He does have a particular interview style where he gets asked a question, says the interviewer's name, pauses, and then gives a zinger of an answer. I've seen him do it 3 times now. "Are you enjoying the games?" "Andrea. [pause for effect] I highly recommend it." But even though it seems little formulaic, he's truly funny as well, on TV and on twitter. (The call t his twitter followers not to forget his beauty--on the outside! -- a little reminiscent of Ali.) And last night he called Andrea "Andy," which was great because Andrea Joyce is so inane, even if it was a little contrived to be cute. His skating may not be on the Hanyu level, but I stop whatever I'm doing to watch him. He moves so beautifully.

 

[Yazmeen]

I think Adam will be fine: unlike Johnny "I'm so fabulous" Weir in 2006, he's also producing good results on the ice along with his interviews. And I love the fact that he emphasized that his main job here was to do well in the team event; which he did with style and flair.

 

[barbk]

I think Adam will be fine: unlike Johnny "I'm so fabulous" Weir in 2006, he's also producing good results on the ice along with his interviews. And I love the fact that he emphasized that his main job here was to do well in the team event; which he did with style and flair.

Maybe I'm forgetting, but which Olympics was it where Johnny met expectations and medalled?

 

[Yazmeen]

Maybe I'm forgetting, but which Olympics was it where Johnny met expectations and medalled?

My point was that Johnny was all over the media with his pithy remarks in 2006, and then his free skate was damn near a nightmare. And the backlash he got was vicious from a lot of every 4-year fans. Adam is showing his best in both his interviews and on his blades. Let's hope that holds for his free.

 

[Simone411]

@Yazmeen, I say Amen to that!

 

[BittyBug]

I think Adam will be fine: unlike Johnny "I'm so fabulous" Weir in 2006, he's also producing good results on the ice along with his interviews. And I love the fact that he emphasized that his main job here was to do well in the team event; which he did with style and flair.

Well the difference is that Weir was a medal favorite and Rippon is not. And yet despite all the b.s. backlash, Weir is doing pretty well for himself. I'm sure he's laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[BlueRidge]

Johnny finished 5th at the 2006 Olys. I don't think he exactly bombed. And the reality is that a lot of the hate he got was homophobia.

 

[berthesghost]

Johnny finished 5th at the 2006 Olys. I don't think he exactly bombed. And the reality is that a lot of the hate he got was homophobia.

I think you missed the point. If Adam gets backlash it too will contain homophobia, mark my words. A lot has happened in 12 years but we’re not out of the woods yet.
But if Adam finishes 5th, it will be a positive as he’s never been hyped for a medal let alone win. If anything, so far he’s been outperforming expectations, especially for someone who was sent under somewhat controversial selection.
Johnny otoh was nat chap, getting extremely hyped, and specially after the sp was hyped as a potential winner nevermund medalist. So yeah, in that context 5th was a disappointment, and he basically said as much last night.
And besides, we’re talking backlash from semi-trolls not seasoned skating Ubers.

 

[BlueRidge]

I think you missed the point. If Adam gets backlash it too will contain homophobia, mark my words. A lot has happened in 12 years but we’re not out of the woods yet.
But if Adam finishes 5th, it will be a positive as he’s never been hyped for a medal let alone win. If anything, so far he’s been outperforming expectations, especially for someone who was sent under somewhat controversial selection.
Johnny otoh was nat chap, getting extremely hyped, and specially after the sp was hyped as a potential winner nevermund medalist. So yeah, in that context 5th was a disappointment, and he basically said as much last night.
And besides, we’re talking backlash from semi-trolls not seasoned skating Ubers.

Was that the point or your point? There have been several posts. Sometimes people are getting at a number of different things.

You're right about the homophobia and its right there in the need people have to compare one gay skater to another.

 

[DimaToe]

It’s not fair to compare Weir’s career to Rippon’s. In his time Johnny was way more of a contender than Adam is, in 2006 he could have easily medalled and in 2010 he was a former world medalist. Adam Rippon has never had such opportunities while he’s been at his best, so naturally the pressure and expectation that Adam faces are nowhere near what Johnny faced.

 

[Frau Muller]

As much as I like Adam’s skating, I believe that he crossed the line from Chatty to Disrespectful with Andrea Joyce last night, ie, calling her “Andi.” That’s rude, not cute.

 

[berthesghost]

Was that the point or your point?

the point. One person brought up Johnny as comparison. Another person seem to basically agree. You seemed to disagree. I don’t see various points by several people being discussed at all. Just one point.

 

[MacMadame]

Here's another article about Rippon and how the LGBT+ community is reacting to him and how important his being out while competing is:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...m_term=.23aece0a496c&wpisrc=nl_aboutus&wpmm=1

 

[snoopy]

At a news conference in PyeongChang, Rippon said he didn’t want his Olympics to be about Pence but added: “I can’t tone it down … I’ve got so many messages from kids all over the country — I’m getting so emotional thinking about it — I think that’s why it’s so important. I think as an athlete I use this platform to my advantage. I think it’s giving my skating a greater purpose.”

This is sweet. Adam did seem particularly focused going into both of his events so far. I thought it was because "Olympics" but maybe this is more the reason.

 

[nimi]

cross-posting from the fan thread

Writer and former pairs skater Chris Schleicher wrote a pretty interesting piece for Slate: https://slate.com/culture/2018/02/a...-queer-excellence-to-the-winter-olympics.html

This personal essay is in some ways similar to the Vanity Fair one, but the writer comes from a skating background himself which is pretty cool. (E.g. "I vividly remember having a limp hand position slapped by a coach because it looked too gay. I became an expert on looking butch while wearing lavender.")

ETA: I just found some twitter evidence that supports the writer's claim about being an expert when it comes to skating while wearing lavender! https://twitter.com/cschleichsrun/status/961875128404463616

 

[livetoskate]

Just getting around to reading the funny article about the 2 Adam Rippons. What a hoot!

"Game designer Rippon says he hasn’t been confused for the figure skater in real life yet—“Adam Rippon’s body is like that of some sort of atomic-powered sex cheetah, and mine is like a potato-powered sex sloth, clearly different people”—but he is considering wearing a figure-skating outfit to the Game Developers Conference next month. He also wants to meet skating Rippon—and wear his medal for a few seconds.

“If he ever does want to do a figure skating game, I totally call dibs on making it,” he said."

 

[Rock2]

The Olympics are about more than just the top level athletes

Did anyone say that was not the case? As for me, I made a point of trying to objectively advocate for more proportionate representation of all levels of athletes. He seems to be overexposed relative to his projected outcome.

To the comment of 'maybe he has something to say....?' I can't say he's more interesting than others. If you had the same words coming out of someone who wasn't this attractive few would pay him more attention than anyone else, is my thinking. Some thoughtful commentary on his sexuality but he's far from being my spirit animal.

To be clear, I'm not trashing the guy. He's just to me no more compelling than anyone else on the US Olympic team. I'd like to see and read about more of the rest.

 

[BittyBug]

I'd like to see and read about more of the rest.

Well there are plenty of those stories out there if you are interested. If you're tired of hearing about Adam Rippon, then skip that content. It's not hard to do.

 

[allezfred]

As much as I like Adam’s skating, I believe that he crossed the line from Chatty to Disrespectful with Andrea Joyce last night, ie, calling her “Andi.” That’s rude, not cute.

Well, you are an authority on rude.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

As much as I like Adam’s skating, I believe that he crossed the line from Chatty to Disrespectful with Andrea Joyce last night, ie, calling her “Andi.” That’s rude, not cute.

Aw, achtung, Frauey baby.

 

[BittyBug]

Isn't Andi her Twitter handle?

 

[skatingguy]

Isn't Andi her Twitter handle?

It is - @andijoyce
https://twitter.com/andijoyce?lang=en

 

[CassAgain]

It is - @andijoyce
https://twitter.com/andijoyce?lang=en

Now if we can just get an Adam interview with Evy Med during which he calls her Janny.