Olympic silver medalist Gus Kenworthy is snapping on his skis once again.
The 33-year-old freestyle skier, actor, and LGBTQ+ icon announced he is coming out of retirement with his sights set on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. In an interview with ESPN, Kenworthy said he has already resumed training and is feeling more motivated than ever to make a comeback.
A Second Wind for the Slopestyle Star
“After taking a step away, I realized I miss skiing, and I really want to compete again,” Kenworthy said. “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.”
Kenworthy, who last competed in 2022, had previously announced his retirement following a crash in the men’s final. At the time, he called it his “final hurrah” and told Olympics.com, “I’m done competing. I’ve had a career that I’m really, really proud of.”
But time away from the slopes made one thing clear: the Olympic flame in him hadn’t gone out just yet.
Setbacks, Then a Reset
While Kenworthy had previously considered a comeback, a series of setbacks—including two major concussions and a bout with COVID-19—forced him into recovery and reflection. During that period, he admits, he faced something of an identity crisis.
Now, with renewed perspective, Kenworthy is returning for the right reasons.
“I don’t feel like I’m going back into it because I don’t know who I am otherwise,” he said. “I’m going back into it because I can still do it, and because I want to.”
Back to His Roots—But with British Flair
Though originally representing Team USA—where he won a silver medal in slopestyle at Sochi 2014—Kenworthy will once again compete for Great Britain, his birth nation. He moved to Colorado at age two but maintains dual citizenship and previously made the switch to represent Team GB at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
As one of the first openly gay male athletes to compete at the Olympic level, Kenworthy’s return is not only an athletic comeback but also a cultural moment for fans around the world who have followed his journey on and off the slopes.
