‘Hooking up’ with girls used to bring Gus Kenworthy to tears

The Olympic freeskier says he struggled with his sexuality for years.

Olympic freeskier Gus Kenworthy has discussed his difficult teenage years, during which he would do anything to “fit in.”

The recently out sports star described how he used to date girls in order to look “cool” and retain friendships with other boys his age.

“I used to hook up with girls to be cool with the guys,” he told Us Weekly.

As he continued to struggle with his true feelings, Kenworthy said that he often found his emotions getting the better of him.

“There were times I would cry afterwards,” he admitted. “I was at the point where I couldn’t continue to lie.”

However, he says coming out was the best decision he has ever made and is overwhelmed by the amount of support he has received.

“I was blown away by the support, and it’s insane how many people have come out to me – even closeted athletes,” he says.

“I feel like I’m helping battle gay stereotypes, because I compete in a rugged action sport.”

Although he only came out recently, Kenworthy last week shared his list of things straight people should never say to a gay man.

In the new video, the skier teamed up with Phillip Picardi from Teen Vogue criticise the clichés they’re sick of hearing.

“You don’t really seem gay”, “are you sure you’re gay?” and “you’re my gay best friend” are just some of the sayings the pair slay.

The 24-year-old took home a silver medal at the Sochi games in Men’s freestyle skiing – but later revealed that second place just wasn’t good enough.

“I never got to be proud of what I did in Sochi because I felt so horrible about what I didn’t do,” he told EPSN magazine.

“I didn’t want to come out as the silver medallist from Sochi. I wanted to come out as the best freeskier in the world.”

• Dec 01 2023

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