Gus Kenworthy: Facing Threats and Chasing Olympic Dreams
Gus Kenworthy, a prominent figure in the world of freestyle skiing, is competing at his fourth Olympics. However, his journey to the Winter Games hasn’t been without its challenges. The Team GB athlete recently revealed he received death threats after posting a critical message regarding the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) organization.
Kenworthy shared a graphic image on Instagram, expressing his disapproval of ICE, just a week before the start of the Winter Olympics in Italy. This post followed the tragic deaths of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota, both attributed to ICE agents, which sparked widespread protests across the US.
Responding to the Backlash
Speaking to BBC Sport, Kenworthy described the threats as “tough,” stating, “No-one wants to read bad things about themselves, things that are threats and violent and scary and homophobic.” However, he also maintained a level of composure, adding, “I also took it with a grain of salt. I couldn’t imagine writing something like that about someone… anyone who does that has something wrong with them. I think I’m on the right side.”
Born in Chelmsford, England, but raised in the US, Kenworthy initially competed for the United States, winning a silver medal in ski slopestyle at the 2014 Sochi Games. He switched allegiance to Team GB in 2019.
Olympic Qualification and Beyond
Kenworthy qualified in ninth place for the halfpipe final, achieving a score of 81.25 points. The competition saw other athletes also making statements. US skier Hunter Hess, after a strong run, displayed an ‘L’ sign, seemingly in response to a previous comment from former President Donald Trump. Hess emphasized his dedication, stating, “I worked so hard to be here… I love the United States of America.”
A Self-Funded Return
Kenworthy retired after the 2022 Beijing Olympics but made a surprising comeback last year. However, this return wasn’t without financial hurdles. GB Snowsport’s athlete funding had already been allocated, forcing Kenworthy to self-fund his entire journey to the Games.
“I called it quits partly because I’d been doing it a long time and I had burnout… but I was also having some bad head injuries,” Kenworthy explained. “Months after, when those symptoms started to subside… I started wondering if it wasn’t the way I wanted it to finish.” He continued, “It’s been pretty tough, because I didn’t have any funding… so it’s been totally self-funded, myself, my coach, both of our travel, training camps… all of it.”
Despite the challenges, Kenworthy remains determined. He embodies resilience and a commitment to his sport, proving that passion and dedication can overcome even the most significant obstacles.
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