Olympian Gus Kenworthy has addressed criticism over his decision to represent Team GB at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy — a move that has prompted some to label him a “traitor”.
The 34-year-old freestyle skier, who holds dual citizenship through his British mother, was born in Chelmsford, Essex, and raised in Telluride, Colorado. After previously competing for the United States — winning a silver medal at Sochi 2014 and appearing again at PyeongChang 2018 — Kenworthy made the switch to Team GB for the Beijing 2022 Games. Now, he’s come out of retirement for a fourth Olympic bid.
“I Don’t Owe Anybody Anything”
Speaking to People, Kenworthy revealed that while he feels proud to ski for Team GB, the decision hasn’t come without backlash.
“People are like, ‘You’re a traitor,’ and I don’t think of it that way,” he said. “I had this choice in 2014 to go for either country… I chose the States and won a medal. But this time around, I chose to do it for my mum.”
Kenworthy re-entered competitive skiing in May 2025, acknowledging this would be his final shot at Olympic glory. “It’s this Olympics or nothing. I’m never going to have this opportunity again.”
He also highlighted the sheer competitiveness of the U.S. ski team, calling it “dog-eat-dog”, with only four spots available. “Men who are world-class and podium-worthy don’t make the team,” he noted. “It would have been a nightmare trying to make the U.S. team.”
Switching to Team GB gave Kenworthy a viable path — without displacing anyone else.
“I didn’t take that spot from anybody. That spot wasn’t a spot otherwise. If anything, I almost feel like it’s more patriotic — I’m letting another American go.”
From Silver Medals to Skating Dreams
An outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate and trailblazer in professional sport, Kenworthy has continued to evolve his public persona since first coming out in 2015. Most recently, he offered himself up for a role in Heated Rivalry season two, citing his skating and hockey skills.
Though he’s no stranger to media attention, Kenworthy remains focused on his sport, reflecting positively on his journey: from medalling for Team USA to now closing his Olympic chapter with Team GB — and doing it, this time, on his own terms.
