The fabulously flamboyant Johnny Weir, a three-time US champion and two-time Olympian, will be offering figure skating commentary for NBC this year. While he seems like a perfect fit, there has been some controversy surrounding his appointment. As an openly gay man and Russophile, Johnny has taken criticism for not doing more to protest the country's draconian antigay laws.
After he called protestors dumping vodka in the streets "idiots," Johnny made this apology late last year:
"I realized that there is no excuse to hurl insults at those who oppose you, or those who think differently than you and as a believer in free will and free speech, I allowed my own fear and emotion to get the better of me and for a moment I became a hypocrite.
"I have been defending athlete's rights to compete in Sochi, despite Russia's anti-LGBT laws, and have publicly opposed a boycott. This is an issue that is very heated for many LGBT activists who want to protect and save the Russian LGBT community, and I wholeheartedly applaud their bravery. I may not agree with all their tactics nor do I have the sense of responsibility that they have, but any selfless act is worth applause.
"Despite many activists' bravery, they also have a very pointed way of trying to make everyone around them an activist and to stand for a cause. My stance of being pro-athlete before being pro-gay has ruffled so many feathers and it becomes difficult to speak publicly because of this fight."
