Gay Olympic Athletes Make History and Change the Game
Adam Rippon made history this weekend, becoming the first openly gay man from the U.S. to medal at the Winter Olympics.
And the founder of Outsports.com says the bronze medal-winner may have opened the door for other LGBT youth to find a place in the world of sports.
“The fact that Adam backed it up with a great performance on Sunday night and America fell in love, that’s the message that kid is receiving: ‘I can be Adam, and I can still be loved by America, too,’” Cyd Zeigler said. “It’s not just the kid watching Adam be his authentic self. It’s then watching his classmates and other people on social media totally embrace it.”
Rippon and fellow out Team USA member Gus Kenworthy, a freestyle skier who races this weekend, have been widely applauded at the Winter Games. But they also sparked controversy with a selfie captioned “Eat your heart out, Pence.”
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who led the U.S. delegation at the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony, has been criticized for his support of “religious freedom” laws and reported advocacy of “conversion therapy.”
The VP tried to ease any tension, tweeting at Rippon, “I want you to know we are FOR YOU. Don’t let fake news distract you.”
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/adam-rippon-and-gus-kenworthy-break-the-rainbow-ceiling-at-the-winter-olympics).
Saudi Arabia became the only country to enter a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup after Australia backed out, claiming they were focusing on other major sporting events.
Global governing body of soccer FIFA banned ex-Spanish Federation president Luis Rubiales for misconduct following backlash over his kiss of a top Spanish soccer player following the women's World Cup in August.
Pieter Vanerman, CEO of Spin, joined Cheddar News to discuss the ping-pong franchise, which has nine locations around the U.S. and two in New York City, and also dived into how the business operates, showed what's on the menu and what you can expect when you visit.
Texas Rangers (90-72, second in the AL West during the regular season) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78, second in the NL West during the regular season).
The Arizona Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series for the first time in 22 years by stunning the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. Arizona next plays the Texas Rangers in the Fall Classic.
NHL players will be allowed to use Pride tape this season after all with the reversal of a ban that sparked a backlash around hockey and among LGBTQ+ advocates in sports.
