Timothy LeDuc to become 1st openly nonbinary US Winter Games athlete

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BEIJING — Adam Rippon delivered one of those quintessential Olympic moments four years ago in Pyeongchang, when his dazzling free skate helped to clinch the bronze medal for the U.S. in the team event to begin the figure skating program.

Not only did Rippon leave fans breathless, he became the first openly gay American to medal at the Winter Games.

Timothy LeDuc wants to do the same for U.S. athletes that identify as nonbinary.

The 31-year-old LeDuc and pairs partner Ashley Cain-Gribble won their second national title last month in Nashville, giving them a spot in their first Olympics. While they are long shots to land on the pairs podium in Beijing, the final discipline of the figure skating program, they could help the U.S. win another team medal if they are selected to perform.

Regardless, LeDuc will be the first openly nonbinary U.S. athlete at the Winter Games when they step on the ice.

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"It's been a really long journey for me, embracing my gender," LeDuc said. "I've had some amazing people in my life help me through that journey.

"But I hope when people see my story, they aren't saying, ‘Timothy is the first nonbinary person to achieve this level of success in sports.' It’s that queer people can be open and be in sports. We've always been here, we have always been a part of sports. We just haven't always been able to be open."

Timothy LeDuc and Ashley Cain-Gribble compete in the pairs free skate program during the U.S. Figure Skating