If you thought Gus Kenworthy was done serving Olympic excellence, queer joy, and perfectly timed chaos on snow, allow us to gently—but firmly—correct you. The gay winter sports icon who once bowed out with a poetic “Swan song. I’m done, I’m done competing” is officially… not done.
In fact, Kenworthy is back in competition mode, plotting a comeback that feels equal parts athletic redemption arc and glam encore tour. Strap in, babes. The slopes are about to get very, very Kenworthy again
Photo Credit: @guskenworthy
RELATED: He Said He Was Done. Gus Kenworthy Lied (Thankfully)
A Trailblazer in Skis (and Speed Suits)
Long before “out and proud” was common language in action sports, Kenworthy was already carving his name into history. After winning silver in men’s slopestyle at the Sochi Winter Olympics, he didn’t just become an Olympic medalist—he became a cultural moment.
In 2015, Kenworthy publicly came out, cementing his status as the first openly gay action sports star. In a world where masculinity is often iced over with bravado, his honesty cracked the surface wide open. Suddenly, queer kids watching winter sports had someone who looked like them, skied like a demon, and wasn’t afraid to kiss his boyfriend on live television.
@guskenworthy me watching the #tokyoolympics like… 👀
He went on to compete at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and later at the Beijing Winter Olympics, where his Olympic journey took a dramatic—and very on-brand—turn.
The Swan Song That Wasn’t
Beijing 2022 was supposed to be the grand finale. Gus crashed during competition, exited with a wink, and declared retirement in a way only he could: graceful, dramatic, and a little camp. Fans mourned. The gays lit candles. The skis were metaphorically hung up.
But as any queer person who’s ever sworn off a situationship knows—sometimes “I’m done” just means “see you in a few years.”
And now? Surprise. He’s back.
“This Olympics or Nothing”
After stepping away from competition, Kenworthy realized something deeply inconvenient: he missed it. The speed. The snow. The chase. And most importantly, the feeling that he wasn’t quite finished yet.
“After taking a step away, I realized I miss skiing and I really want to compete again,” Kenworthy told ESPN. “I didn’t know if I would be able to come back after three-and-a-half years, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to after seven and a half. So, it’s this Olympics or nothing. I’m never going to have this opportunity again.”
Reader, that is not a man dabbling. That is a man locking in.
In an Instagram post, Kenworthy shared:
“I had a lot of luck on my side yesterday with how things ended up shaking out with the brackets, but regardless, I’m really happy with how I skied at my first event in 4 years and I’m honored (and honestly just pretty gagged) to be back up on the podium!”
Proof He’s Still Got It
This isn’t a nostalgia tour. Kenworthy’s comeback is backed by results. He recently placed third at Shaun White’s Snow League and followed it up by advancing to finals at the Copper Grand Prix, earning a top-16 finish in a stacked field of elite skiers.
At 34, he’s competing in a sport that typically worships youth—and casually outperforming younger athletes while doing it. If that’s not queer resilience, we don’t know what is.
@thesnowleague Gus Kenworthy returns to competition after four years and lands right back on The Snow League podium. #TheSnowLeague #GusKenworthy #freestyleskier #halfpipe
Milano-Cortina, Here He Comes
Kenworthy will once again represent Great Britain as he sets his sights on the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics. If he makes it, this will be his fourth Olympic Games—an achievement that speaks not just to talent, but to sheer determination.
Whether he podiums or not, his presence alone matters. In an era where visibility still saves lives, Kenworthy continues to show that queer athletes don’t age out of relevance—they evolve.
@guskenworthy felt so good to finally get redemption on this one!
The Comeback We Deserve
Kenworthy’s return isn’t about proving anything to critics. It’s about joy. About unfinished business. About saying yes to one more shot when the door cracks open.
The slopes are colder, the field is fiercer, and the stakes are higher—but Gus Kenworthy has never been one to shy away from a dramatic entrance.
And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.
REFERENCE: ESPN