Sports

<p>Figure skater Adam Rippon, the first openly gay athlete to represent the United States at the Winter Olympics and the star of this gif:</p><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/l2RnJHsLLHuoMXfQ4" width="480"></iframe> <p>...had already <a href="https://www.someecards.com/news/politics/mike-pence-olympics-adam-rippon">made headlines for a contentious exchange</a> with Vice President Mike Pence, the first open politician about calling his wife &quot;<a href="https://www.someecards.com/news/politics/mike-pence-wife-mother/">mother</a>.&quot;</p> <div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I would absolutely not go out of my way to meet somebody who I felt has gone out of their way to not only show that they aren’t a friend of a gay person but that they think that they’re sick&quot; - Adam Rippon, the first openly gay U.S. Winter Olympian <a href="https://t.co/IBEUDwT7cd">https://t.co/IBEUDwT7cd</a></p>&mdash; Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/voguemagazine/status/962887188852756480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> </div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Adam Rippon wins a medal, Mike Pence has to personally bake a gay wedding cake. Sorry, those are just the rules.</p>&mdash; Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDweck/status/962860801705967616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><p>But after telling <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/christinebrennan/2018/01/17/gay-olympian-adam-rippon-blasts-selection-mike-pence-lead-u-s-delegation/1040610001/" target="_blank"><em>USA Today</em></a> that he would prefer not to meet &quot;the same Mike Pence that funded gay conversion therapy&quot; and receiving <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/961466229671284736" target="_blank">this tweet</a> from the VP himself, it was time for Rippon to skate. Monday morning in South Korea was his Olympic debut.</p><p><strong>Today is the Day of Adam. It&#39;s Rippon Hour. </strong></p><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ADAM RIPPON. Because he slays. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/fmMl0C4Amf">https://t.co/fmMl0C4Amf</a> <a href="https://t.co/fkG1KgiTb0">pic.twitter.com/fkG1KgiTb0</a></p>&mdash; #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/962862710835875841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><p>After a stellar performance in men&#39;s free skate, Rippon was ranked second behind Russian Mikhail Kolyada. He later fell to third after Canadian Patrick Chan. That helped the US take bronze in the team event.</p><p>Tweeters in the United States were furious about Rippon&#39;s third place ranking, especially because the two athletes in the top spots fell during their performances.</p><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Still can’t get over that Adam Rippon’s flawless, magical skate was edged out by a Russian Elvis who fell and whose program was decidedly sloppy. Can Mueller look into this please? Thanks! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olympics</a></p>&mdash; Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilipRucker/status/962879875441987586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Um Second?! <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCOlympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/FWDeTGG4ml">pic.twitter.com/FWDeTGG4ml</a></p>&mdash; Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/962868509482024960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">how did adam not get ahead of russia???? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a></p>&mdash; ♡ (@faithlesslight) <a href="https://twitter.com/faithlesslight/status/962863570563289094?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Rippon just skated the most flawless program I&#39;ve ever watched yet somehow is in 2nd behind the Russian that fell once and stumbled on another jump???? Very confused how they score ice skating now <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a></p>&mdash; SportsOpinions (@MY_SPORTS_VIEWS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MY_SPORTS_VIEWS/status/962863273040367616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m about done with figure skating. The American was amazing (and didn’t even come close to falling), yet he’s behind two dudes who hit the ice. I just don’t get it <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/U56ePCTnQp">pic.twitter.com/U56ePCTnQp</a></p>&mdash; Michael Wooten (@wgrzMichael) <a href="https://twitter.com/wgrzMichael/status/962865376534155265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He was underscored period. End. Of. Discussion. <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCOlympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/fjeruDWZD9">https://t.co/fjeruDWZD9</a></p>&mdash; Meg (@meg_catherine8) <a href="https://twitter.com/meg_catherine8/status/962863490779230208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That medley was amazing. Terrific choreography. Beautiful program! 🇺🇸👏 How is Adam Rippon in 2nd behind Kolyada after that skate?? What&#39;s up with scoring. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/tVZsrWdjhV">https://t.co/tVZsrWdjhV</a></p>&mdash; DigginIt (@Tokyo2020Bound) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020Bound/status/962863622761324544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><p>Of course, since most of us watching from Twitter only gained figure skating expertise from watching <em>I, Tonya </em>a week ago, there are nuances to the rules we don&#39;t understand.</p><p>Via <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/adam-rippon-skated-flawlessly-judges-ranked-third_us_5a80f069e4b08dfc930565bb?section=us_queer-voices&amp;ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000054" target="_blank">HuffPo</a>, &quot;even though skaters are penalized one point for falling they may earn more points overall for attempting [different and challenging moves].&quot; Apparently, Kolyada and Chan both performed routines with &quot;higher degrees of difficulty than Rippon&#39;s.&quot; <a href="http://time.com/5143910/usa-team-figure-skating-canada/" target="_blank">TIME</a> weighed in that there were &quot;inconsistencies with [the] jumps&quot; in Rippon&#39;s otherwise &quot;fluid and at times mesmerizing routine.&quot;</p><p>But if Americans were brought down by Rippon&#39;s scoring, they were brought up again by his post-skate interview (which is misleading, since Xanax is a downer).</p><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“When you get on the ice and see the (Olympic) rings what’s going through your mind?”<br>“Um, I want to throw up. I want to go over to the judges and ask can I have a Xanax and a quick drink?” <a href="https://t.co/y602LLvHln">pic.twitter.com/y602LLvHln</a></p>&mdash; Molly Knight (@molly_knight) <a href="https://twitter.com/molly_knight/status/962889394360279041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><p>Talking to NBC, Rippon said, &quot;I&#39;ve been waiting 28 years to get out there. And let me tell you, it was worth the wait...&quot;</p><p>But how does it feel on the ice?</p><p>&quot;I want to throw up. I want to go over to the judge and say <strong>&#39;Can I just have a Xanax and a quick drink. I&#39;ll be fine.&#39; </strong>But I kept it together. I just took it one element at a time.&quot;</p><p><strong>He also name dropped Reese Witherspoon:</strong></p><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So, <a href="https://twitter.com/rwitherspoon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RWitherspoon</a>, did <a href="https://twitter.com/adaripp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adaripp</a> make you proud? <a href="https://t.co/CgMSzm1COg">pic.twitter.com/CgMSzm1COg</a></p>&mdash; #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/962907087125843968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><p><strong>And &quot;highly recommended&quot; being an Olympian.</strong></p><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a>: highly recommended by <a href="https://twitter.com/adaripp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adaripp</a> <a href="https://t.co/SpX3k9vaLG">pic.twitter.com/SpX3k9vaLG</a></p>&mdash; #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/962867778872053761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><p><strong>Rippon has fans.</strong></p><oembed>https://twitter.com/RachelRoseGold1/status/962886914926960640</oembed><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mike Pence watching Adam Rippon skate: <a href="https://t.co/GgnpzDpZ0O">pic.twitter.com/GgnpzDpZ0O</a></p>&mdash; Anthony Oliveira (@meakoopa) <a href="https://twitter.com/meakoopa/status/962912226930823168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Rippon interviews are my favorite Olympic event</p>&mdash; Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteBlackburn/status/962885471482318848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><p> </p><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Rippon stuck every element in that interview program.</p>&mdash; Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlesPPierce/status/962887477177536517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">is adam rippon the first skater to talk about poppin xans in a tv interview</p>&mdash; adam (@burgerkrang) <a href="https://twitter.com/burgerkrang/status/962885556194693120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ADAM RIPPON IS THE HERO WE NEED.</p>&mdash; Molly Knight (@molly_knight) <a href="https://twitter.com/molly_knight/status/962885273712394241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I love Adam Rippon. What happened today was so beautiful because twirling gracefully on a harsh stage and always having to land on your feet even though you only have razor thin support underneath you is literally what being gay is!</p>&mdash; Phillip Henry (@MajorPhilebrity) <a href="https://twitter.com/MajorPhilebrity/status/962913357748719616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My favorite thing about Adam Rippon is how he reminds every interviewer of their name.</p>&mdash; Tyler Coates (@tylercoates) <a href="https://twitter.com/tylercoates/status/962885128061112323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am crying at Adam Rippon. People need to know how important this is: an out skater showing us what excellence is in the face of a homophobic vice president who wants to take our rights away. His visibility and integrity are a necessary and vital political act.</p>&mdash; Rakesh Satyal (@rakeshsatyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/rakeshsatyal/status/962880891633610754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><div class="oembedall-container sec-iframe sec-oembed-iframe"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">To give you some idea of how homophobic the sports world still is, it took until this year for us to have an openly gay American man compete in FIGURE SKATING. <br><br>Mad respect and huge congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/adaripp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adaripp</a>. 🇺🇸🌈🙏</p>&mdash; billy eichner (@billyeichner) <a href="https://twitter.com/billyeichner/status/962909519876534273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div className="ad-splitter"></div><p>Enjoy the rest of Adam Rippon Day.</p><div className="ad-splitter"></div>

People were furious that Adam Rippon only got third. They felt better after his interview.

Mitchell Friedman

Figure skater Adam Rippon, the first openly gay athlete to represent the United States at the Winter Olympics and the star of this gif: ...had already made headlines for a contentious exchange with Vice President Mike Pence, the first open politician about calling his wife &quot;mother.&quot; “I would absolutely not go out of my way to meet somebody who I felt has gone out of their way to not only show that they aren’t a friend of a gay person but that they think that they’re sick&quot; - Adam Rippon, the first openly gay U.S. Winter Olympian https://t.co/IBEUDwT7cd&mdash; Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) February 12, 2018  If Adam Rippon wins a medal, Mike Pence has to personally bake a gay wedding cake. Sorry, those are just the rules.&mdash; Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) February 12, 2018 But after telling USA Today that he would prefer not to meet &quot;the same Mike Pence that funded gay conversion therapy&quot; and receiving this tweet from the VP himself, it was time for Rippon to skate. Monday morning in South Korea was his Olympic debut.Today is the Day of Adam. It&#39;s Rippon Hour. ADAM RIPPON. Because he slays. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/fmMl0C4Amf pic.twitter.com/fkG1KgiTb0&mdash; #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018 After a stellar performance in men&#39;s free skate, Rippon was ranked second behind Russian Mikhail Kolyada. He later fell to third after Canadian Patrick Chan. That helped the US take bronze in the team event.Tweeters in the United States were furious about Rippon&#39;s third place ranking, especially because the two athletes in the top spots fell during their performances.Still can’t get over that Adam Rippon’s flawless, magical skate was edged out by a Russian Elvis who fell and whose program was decidedly sloppy. Can Mueller look into this please? Thanks! #olympics&mdash; Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) February 12, 2018 Um Second?! @NBCOlympics @Olympics pic.twitter.com/FWDeTGG4ml&mdash; Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) February 12, 2018 how did adam not get ahead of russia???? #WinterOlympics&mdash; ♡ (@faithlesslight) February 12, 2018 Adam Rippon just skated the most flawless program I&#39;ve ever watched yet somehow is in 2nd behind the Russian that fell once and stumbled on another jump???? Very confused how they score ice skating now #Olympics #WinterOlympics&mdash; SportsOpinions (@MY_SPORTS_VIEWS) February 12, 2018 I’m about done with figure skating. The American was amazing (and didn’t even come close to falling), yet he’s behind two dudes who hit the ice. I just don’t get it #Olympics #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/U56ePCTnQp&mdash; Michael Wooten (@wgrzMichael) February 12, 2018 He was underscored period. End. Of. Discussion. @NBCOlympics #WinterOlympics https://t.co/fjeruDWZD9&mdash; Meg (@meg_catherine8) February 12, 2018 That medley was amazing. Terrific choreography. Beautiful program! 🇺🇸👏 How is Adam Rippon in 2nd behind Kolyada after that skate?? What&#39;s up with scoring. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/tVZsrWdjhV&mdash; DigginIt (@Tokyo2020Bound) February 12, 2018 Of course, since most of us watching from Twitter only gained figure skating expertise from watching I, Tonya a week ago, there are nuances to the rules we don&#39;t understand.Via HuffPo, &quot;even though skaters are penalized one point for falling they may earn more points overall for attempting [different and challenging moves].&quot; Apparently, Kolyada and Chan both performed routines with &quot;higher degrees of difficulty than Rippon&#39;s.&quot; TIME weighed in that there were &quot;inconsistencies with [the] jumps&quot; in Rippon&#39;s otherwise &quot;fluid and at times mesmerizing routine.&quot;But if Americans were brought down by Rippon&#39;s scoring, they were brought up again by his post-skate interview (which is misleading, since Xanax is a downer).“When you get on the ice and see the (Olympic) rings what’s going through your mind?”“Um, I want to throw up. I want to go over to the judges and ask can I have a Xanax and a quick drink?” pic.twitter.com/y602LLvHln&mdash; Molly Knight (@molly_knight) February 12, 2018 Talking to NBC, Rippon said, &quot;I&#39;ve been waiting 28 years to get out there. And let me tell you, it was worth the wait...&quot;But how does it feel on the ice?&quot;I want to throw up. I want to go over to the judge and say &#39;Can I just have a Xanax and a quick drink. I&#39;ll be fine.&#39; But I kept it together. I just took it one element at a time.&quot;He also name dropped Reese Witherspoon:So, @RWitherspoon, did @Adaripp make you proud? pic.twitter.com/CgMSzm1COg&mdash; #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018 And &quot;highly recommended&quot; being an Olympian.The #WinterOlympics: highly recommended by @Adaripp pic.twitter.com/SpX3k9vaLG&mdash; #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018 Rippon has fans.https://twitter.com/RachelRoseGold1/status/962886914926960640Mike Pence watching Adam Rippon skate: pic.twitter.com/GgnpzDpZ0O&mdash; Anthony Oliveira (@meakoopa) February 12, 2018 Adam Rippon interviews are my favorite Olympic event&mdash; Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 12, 2018  Adam Rippon stuck every element in that interview program.&mdash; Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) February 12, 2018 is adam rippon the first skater to talk about poppin xans in a tv interview&mdash; adam (@burgerkrang) February 12, 2018 ADAM RIPPON IS THE HERO WE NEED.&mdash; Molly Knight (@molly_knight) February 12, 2018 I love Adam Rippon. What happened today was so beautiful because twirling gracefully on a harsh stage and always having to land on your feet even though you only have razor thin support underneath you is literally what being gay is!&mdash; Phillip Henry (@MajorPhilebrity) February 12, 2018 My favorite thing about Adam Rippon is how he reminds every interviewer of their name.&mdash; Tyler Coates (@tylercoates) February 12, 2018 I am crying at Adam Rippon. People need to know how important this is: an out skater showing us what excellence is in the face of a homophobic vice president who wants to take our rights away. His visibility and integrity are a necessary and vital political act.&mdash; Rakesh Satyal (@rakeshsatyal) February 12, 2018 To give you some idea of how homophobic the sports world still is, it took until this year for us to have an openly gay American man compete in FIGURE SKATING. Mad respect and huge congrats to @Adaripp. 🇺🇸🌈🙏&mdash; billy eichner (@billyeichner) February 12, 2018 Enjoy the rest of Adam Rippon Day.

Rippon ranked third, but his post-skate interview was spectators found his interview to be the greatest thing about the Olympics.