Johnny Weir is a male figure skater for the U.S. Johnny was a late starter when it comes to figure skating. He didn’t start skating until the age of 12. He played several other sports as a child such as soccer, skiing and horseback riding. He had to make the choice between showing horses at the competitive level or figure skating. Even though the choice was a very difficult one for him, his success in the skating world proves that he made the right choice. Johnny has become a superstar in the skating sport.

Johnny is known all over the world for his grace and fluid, elegant style in addition to his fashion. He often designs his own figure skating costumes. He has future aspirations to be a designer and a skating coach after his professional skating career. By age 23 he is a three-time U.S. Figure Skating Champion. He competed in the 2006 Torino Italy Winter Olympic Games for the U.S. He placed second in the Men’s short program, behind the eventual gold medalist Evgeny Plushenko, but finished in fifth place overall after a disappointing free skate. Johnny became a media darling during the olympic games, and the rivalry between fellow teammate Evan Lysacek became a huge focus during the games.

Johnny has aspirations to make the 2010 Olympic U.S. team. He recently left longtime coach Priscilla Hill and moved to Wayne, New Jersey to train with Galina Zmievskaya, coach of Olympic gold medalists Victor Petrenko (1992) and Oksana Baiul (1994). http://www.figureskatersonline.com/johnnyweir/profile.html

Johnny started out in pairs, skating with Jodi Rudden as his pairs partner. After only two seasons he gave up pairs and focused on individual skating. He experienced rapid progress in freestyle skating and started medaling at the junior championship level. His senior level debut was at the 2001 U.S. Championships in Boston where he placed sixth overall. http://www.figureskatersonline.com/johnnyweir/profile.html

"He is a three-time U.S. National Champion (2004-2006), the 2008 Worlds bronze medalist, a two-time Grand Prix Fina medalist and the 2001 World Junior Champion. He is currently ranked eighth in the world." http://www.isufs.org/ws/wsmen.htm

Won a spot on the US Olympic Figure Skating team for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games

There is a new reality show called "Be Good Johnny Weir" airing January 18th on the Sundance channel. A camera crew followed Johnny last season documenting his daily life and skating routine. This will be an 8 episode show and follows his journey to the 2010 olympics. "I rarely see friends, I rarely see family. I go to train, I come home, I eat my dinner, I go to bed and I get up the next morning and do it again," he said. "I'm doing what a real athlete should be doing."

"It’s crunch time, it’s now or never for me. I’m getting a little bit old to be in the sport and compete with the young and rising talent, which I once was. I feel that this is my last legitimate chance for an Olympic medal. Maybe it’s not my last year figure skating, but it’s my last legitimate year as a contender. So I’ve given up everything. I’m training every day, I eat properly, I make sure I sleep properly. I’m doing everything my coaches tell me so I can be the best I can be for the Olympic Games. But of course I have the events in Russia and Japan in the fall, and then the U.S. National Championships. And then I’m dreaming of the Olympic Games. I think this year you’re going to see me fiercer than I’ve ever been." http://www.outsports.com/os/index.php/component/content/article/43-2009/261-johnny-weir-the-outsports-interview

"Of course, there’s jealousy there. I’m jealous that he’s the World Champion right now and he’s been jealous of me in the past for things I’ve achieved, because we’re athletes and because we compete against each other for the same titles. There’s very little bad I can say about Evan. He’s a different person than me, and he lives his life very differently than I do, and he does his sport very differently than I do. But I can’t say anything bad about him. It’s his choice, his path. He’s always been relatively nice to me, as far as competitors go. I have no bad blood toward Evan. I can’t speak for him, but we’ve always had a warm relationship. But we can’t be the best of friends. http://www.outsports.com/os/index.php/component/content/article/43-2009/261-johnny-weir-the-outsports-interview

• 1996-present time

Johnny skated beautifully in his free skate. He only bobbled once during a spin, otherwise it was flawless. He finished in 6th place overall. Many are saying his program was too simple and didn't have enough transitions and that may be why his scores didn't seem like they were high enough.

After a night of dramatic tension with the Men's Short Program here are the standings as they go into the Free Skate on Thursday 2/18/2010

Johnny skated an elegant and pretty flawless short program. He is among the top 6 who will skate in the final group on Thursday for the medals.

Current Standings after Short Program 1st Russian Yevgeny Plushenko 90.85

2nd USA Evan Lysacek 90.30

3rd Japan Daisuke Takahashi 90.25

4th Japan Nobunari Oda 84.85

5th Stephane Lambiel 84.63

6th USA Johnny Weir 82.10

It will be quite a battle for the Gold Medal

He’s known for his colorful personality, both on and off the ice. Now, outspoken figure skater Johnny Weir will bring his unique voice to the literary world.

Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books announced today that it will publish a yet-to-be-titled book from Weir, featuring a collection of anecdotes and essays on skating, fashion, pop culture and the author himself. It’s scheduled for a January 2011 release. “His book will be all things Johnny — vivacious, stylish, honest and one-of-a-kind,” said Jennifer Bergstrom, vice president and editor-in-chief of Gallery Books, in a statement. http://shelf-life.ew.com/2010/04/19/olympian-johnny-weir-to-pen-book/