Johnny Weir

John Johnny Garvin Weir born July 2 1984 is an American figure skater and television commentator He is a twotime Olympian the 2008 World bronze medalist a twotime Grand Prix Final bronze medalist the 2001 World Junior Champion and a threetime US National champion 20042006 He began skating at the age of 12 two or three times older than when most elite skaters start training He was the youngest US National champion since 1991 in 2004 the first skater to win US Nationals three times in a row since Brian Boitano in the late 1980s and the first American to win Cup of Russia in 2007 Weir had a classical skating style and was known for being a very lyrical skater and an entertaining artesian He was also influenced by Russian approaches to figure skating and developed a connection with Russian history culture and language His costume choices and outspokenness caused conflicts with US Figure Skating the governing body of the sport in the US throughout his skating career