Skier Gus Kenworthy's televised gay kiss with boyfriend lights up Olympics
The 26-year-old American finished 12th in the slopestyle on Sunday but still found himself making headlines.
Gay freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy said it was a moment that he "never dreamed" possible as a child after he was filmed kissing his partner on live television at the Olympics.
It has been hailed by some as a landmark moment in Games history and the footage went viral on social media.
The 26-year-old American finished 12th in the slopestyle on Sunday but still found himself making headlines after kissing his boyfriend at the bottom of the slope while the TV cameras were on him.
Thrust into the global spotlight, Kenworthy tweeted on Monday alongside a still image of the now-famous kiss: "Didn't realise this moment was being filmed yesterday but I'm so happy that it was.
Didn't realize this moment was being filmed yesterday but I'm so happy that it was. My childhood self would never have dreamed of seeing a gay kiss on TV at the Olympics but for the first time ever a kid watching at home CAN! Love is love is love. pic.twitter.com/8t0zHjgDg8
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 19, 2018
"My childhood self would never have dreamed of seeing a gay kiss on TV at the Olympics but for the first time ever a kid watching at home CAN!
"Love is love."
The tweet garnered hundreds of messages of support and Adam Rippon, the gay American figure skater, wrote in reply: "Wow okay I just whimpered to myself 'so beautiful'".
Wow okay i just whimpered to myself “so beautiful” ðŸ˜
— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) February 19, 2018
Speaking soon after the kiss was captured on camera, the British-born Kenworthy reflected on how times have changed in just a few years.
"The only way to change perceptions, break down barriers, break down homophobia is through representation," he said.
"And that is definitely not something I had as a kid. I definitely did not see a gay athlete at the Olympics kissing their boyfriend.
"If I had it would have made it a lot easier for me."
He added: "That was something I wanted at the last Olympics, to share a kiss with my boyfriend at the bottom and it was something I was too scared to do.
"To be able to do that, give him a kiss, have that affection broadcast for the world is incredible."
Kenworthy's post went viral on social media and garnered over 5,619 retweets and over 37 thousand likes.
The kiss also had Twitterati fawning over the cute couple:
My childhood self would have never ever believed 2 men kissing at all let alone on an #Olympics broadcast. #TimesHaveChanged & I am so happy. I just imagine all those kids who will see this & know #LoveIsLoveIsLove & my heart fills with pure joy. #Pride ðŸ³ï¸ðŸŒˆðŸ'ªâ¤ï¸
— Hugh Sturdy (@SturdyHugh) February 19, 2018
Can I just say it’s a pleasure to go through most of the comments here and not find a single negative one. #loveisloveislove
— Kaylin Herrington (@hamiltonlover10) February 19, 2018
Medal or no: you're a champion for humanity. Thank you sir. Thank you.
— Byron (@ByronWestham) February 19, 2018
Thank you for representing Team USA and for being a beautiful human being. I don't have children yet but when I do they will certainly be taught that love is love. This was a beautiful moment that I'm happy was captured. Thank you for sharing â¤ï¸ðŸ³ï¸ðŸŒˆðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸
— Brittany Noelâ™ï¸ðŸ"® (@ohhushbritt) February 19, 2018
My daughter was like, “Aww how cute are they!” and my husband and I were like pic.twitter.com/jBzKGxVWte
— KristinN (@Mrs_Knorman) February 19, 2018
Thank you, Gus, for being an example of natural, spontaneous honesty that is rooted in authentic selfhood & affirmation of love & life. So long as you preserve & cherish this quality, you shall be felicitous & successful in all your future endeavors.
— Duncan ðŸ-'ï¸ (@Duncan_n_Duncan) February 19, 2018
It blows my mind that we live in a world where in 2018 this is such a huge monumental moment. But I’m so happy that this is a moment we are finally having and I hope it will pave the way for many more. One day we will live in a world where this can and will be commonplace. â¤ï¸
— Cassi (@ladyeqyss) February 19, 2018
Earlier at the Games in South Korea, Canadian figure skater Eric Radford became the first openly gay Winter Olympic gold medallist in winning the team event.