Welcome to My World by Johnny Weir

Author:Johnny Weir
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 2011-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

“Johnny, the smalls were running out but we put some aside because we knew you were coming,” an Olympic official said before handing me three enormous bags of Team USA paraphernalia. In the team processing area, where I received my information and uniforms for the Olympics, I wondered how I was going to fit all this stuff into my already cramped room.

Me being me, I knew I wasn’t really going to wear any of the uniforms the smiling woman handed me. I don’t believe in them and for years had gotten in trouble for it. That whole tracksuit look; it’s just not me. Simply put, they’re tacky. I’m very proud to be American but I don’t feel the need to rub it in everyone’s face with an ugly jacket. I wear what I want, which is usually black and fun. Isn’t freedom as American as apple pie and football?

Although I didn’t like to wear team uniforms, the processing was a proud moment. As soon as the woman handed me my bags that she had held especially for me, I felt like a real part of the U.S. team. And that was something I hadn’t felt before, either, because of my federation’s slights or because I had excluded myself. I threw myself into the Olympic spirit and into the entire uniform to the delight of the photographers who snapped my picture. I had worked long and hard for this goal; it was time to enjoy it.

That first photo op and subsequent press conference was a continuation of the love affair between me and the press. During the media event with the rest of the men’s team, Evan Lysacek, Matthew Savoie, and myself, nearly every single question was directed at me.

“Johnny, how are you preparing for the Olympics?”

“Ambien and espresso.”

Laughs.

“How are you enjoying the Olympic Village?”

“It’s dirty. I had to do a lot of cleaning.”

More laughs.

I was more than pleased to be the ringleader of this American team of young, talented, first-time Olympians. However, the microscope I was under didn’t lose its focus after the press conference. Lots of media showed up for every official practice held for the male single skaters. In addition to the judges and other skaters watching, it made for a tough training situation. I didn’t want people to see me sweat or breathe heavily. And I certainly didn’t want to fall on my ass and have it appear in every newspaper the next day with the headline: “Weir Not Olympic Ready!” So for a week and a half, I didn’t push myself in an effort to appear perfect, and my condition started to go down.

To blow off steam in this pressure-cooker environment, I engaged in massive retail therapy in downtown Torino. I let the conversion rate unnecessarily confuse me into thinking everything was cheaper than it was and made very good friends with the people at Louis Vuitton. I went to their boutique practically every day even if I just got a wallet or a little bracelet.

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