Adam Rippon speaks about Grindr and going through 400 condoms at Winter Olympics
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Olympic bronze medalist Adam Rippon has become renowned for his frank openness in recent weeks.
The pro figure skater hit the headlines for his putdowns of US Vice President Mike Pence and turning up to the Oscars in a leather harness.
Now he has gone a step further and decided to tell all on just what happens in the apparent hotbed of sexual tension that is the Olympics.
Asked “Is the Olympic athletes’ village really like a hotbed of sexual Tinder, Grindr, everything?” he was characteristically honest.
Speaking to New York Times he said: “Here’s the thing. The condoms aren’t special. The reason that they go through so many is because people like me take maybe 400 of them and I have little gift bags for my friends.
“They’re just like Korean — it says latex condom, but in Korean.
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“But you know what, when you’re in a high-pressure situation and there’s like beautiful people all around, yeah, emotions get going.
He added: “I’ll let young kids have this sexual camp experience here at the Olympics. I’ll just sit back, I’ll wait, and I’ll figure it out when I get home.”
Appearing on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live, Rippon was asked about his dating preferences.
In a clip from the show, Rippon revealed that his type is “someone who goes to the gym and, like, has a job.”
He followed the revelation with an affection look towards host Andy Cohen, who is also gay.
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When fellow show guest Brandi Glanville suggested that he needs a “rough top,” Rippon initially looked stunned by the suggestion.
He then let loose and replied “why not?”
Despite becoming a gay icon during the Olympics, the figure skater has not always been comfortable with his own sexuality.
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Rippon told BuzzFeed: “I’m working with their youth engagement program, and the more I learned about these young ambassadors the more I became so inspired by the kids involved.
“I’m from a really small town in Pennsylvania, and I really felt uncomfortable being gay for a really long time… If we had a program like this and we had kids involved that were going back into their community and really giving back and giving young kids who may feel different or out of place the tools they could have to have a role model, to know they can succeed, that would’ve been completely life-changing for me.”
He added: “As soon as I found out about this initiative I was like I have to be a part of this because this is gonna change some young kid’s world.
“Growing up and meeting other gay people, you meet so many different people and their circumstances are so different that a lot of times there isn’t somebody you can relate to… these kids are going, they’re getting the tools, they go back to their communities and they put together what they think is best for the kids in their area, and they are just changing the world.
“How could you not change a world’s changer?”
Speaking about tackling Pence, he said: “I wanted to find a balance of using my Olympic platform. I was asked what I thought of Mike Pence being head of the delegation at the opening ceremony, and I answered it honestly… The world is watching, and I’m really lucky I come from this amazing country where we can speak our minds to help create change and to create a conversation.”
After arriving back in the US, Rippon has begun a partnership with LGBTQ non-profit GLAAD, fronting a youth engagement campaign.
Speaking with Ellen, the activist said: “I’m working with GLAAD’s youth engagement program and you know this is so important because we’re reaching these kids and they’re becoming activists in their community. When I was young, to have somebody out there that I could’ve looked up to, it would’ve made a world of difference, and it would’ve changed my life.
Adam Rippon (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
“When I was young, I had a goldfish named Princess Diana, and that should have been the writing on the wall for me.
“I also had a goldfish name Diaria, spelled diarrhea, for balance. It’s a family name.
“But to have these young kids going out there and changing the world. This is something that I need to be a part of.”
“It is really important for the youth out there to have somebody, and have a face on television and sports and every area, and say that there are gay people everywhere, and know you’re not alone.
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“One in five kids today identify with some sort of LGBTQ identity. That’s one in five. Right here, we’re two for two.
“So look to your left. Look to your right. And if nobody’s gay, you’re probably the one!”
