Johnny Weir Biography

Fast Facts

• Has been a longtime supporter of The Trevor Project
• Named Skating Magazine's Skater of the Year in 2008
• Attended the University of Delaware, where he studied linguistics
• Placed just ahead of future Olympic teammate Evan Lysacek at the 2001 World Junior Championships
• Was inspired to become a figure skater after watching Oksana Baiul compete in the 1994 Olympics, after which he began practicing with roller skates in his basement
• Quote: "I am a major introvert․ I keep my creative juices flowing by spending a lot of time on my own․"
• Quote: "Nerves are the worst part of competing, but you need to have them․ One of the greatest comforts for me was visualizing the performance in my head to know what you are dealing with environmentally․"
• After earning multiple Grand Prix titles and National Championship gold medals, he would make his Olympic debut in 2006, eventually placing fifth
• Announced his official retirement from figure skating in October of 2013
• After a disappointing 2007 U․S․ Figure Skating Championships, he switched coaches in 2006 and began a new training regimen after moving to a new training center in New Jersey
• An asteroid discovered in 1995 was named after him in 2010
• Mastered the axel jump only one week after starting proper lessons on the ice
• Published his first memoir, "Welcome to My World," in January of 2011