Freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy is making a surprise comeback, announcing that he’s officially coming out of retirement to train for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 33-year-old Olympic medallist revealed his plans in a new interview with ESPN, saying he’s back on the slopes and more motivated than ever.
“After taking a step away, I realised 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. I’m never going to have this opportunity again.”
Kenworthy, who took silver in Slopestyle for Team USA at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, retired from competition following a crash during the men’s final in 2022. At the time, he called it his “swan song,” telling Olympics.com:
“I’ve had a career that I’m really, really proud of. I know that there’s an expiration date, and I’m at that date.”
But stepping away from the sport wasn’t easy. After facing two major concussions and a COVID-19 diagnosis, Kenworthy experienced what he called an identity crisis.
Now, with a clean bill of health and fresh perspective, he’s returning not out of confusion, but conviction.
“I don’t feel like I’m going back into it because I don’t know who I am otherwise,” he explained. “I’m going back into it because I can still do it, and because I want to.”
Representing Great Britain in 2026
Although Kenworthy grew up in Colorado, he was born in the UK and holds dual citizenship. He previously competed for Great Britain during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and will do so again in 2026.
Outside of skiing, Kenworthy has built a multi-faceted career as an actor, model, influencer, and high-profile LGBTQ+ advocate. He came out publicly in 2015 and became one of the first openly gay Olympic athletes. In 2018, he was one of two out gay men to represent Team USA at the PyeongChang Olympics.
Kenworthy’s return adds both athletic and symbolic weight to the upcoming Games—a reminder of the persistence, talent, and trailblazing identity that have defined his career.
