The skaters performed out and proud this year. | Photo: Twitter @Rad85E
Canadian figure skater Eric Radford is glad he’s not fellow US skater Adam Rippon.
‘I feel very lucky that I’m not Adam, and I don’t have to deal with that whole political side of things,’ he told TMZ.
Part of Rippon’s popularity and fame during the Olympics has come from his open criticism of the Donald Trump administration.
It started with him calling out Vice President Mike Pence as the US representative of the Olympics. Then, Donald Trump Jr. called out the skater on Twitter.
Despite not being afraid to share his thoughts, Rippon said he didn’t want politics or Pence to define his Olympic experience.
It’s decidedly not something Radford, 33, has faced, as he explains in the video.
All the support
Unlike Rippon, Radford’s received open support from his government.
‘I got a call from [Prime Minister Justin Trudeau] … He’s been so supportive and kind and nice.’
He added that, with all Rippon is facing, he gives all of his support to Adam ‘and everything he’s doing’.
Beyond encouragement from Trudeau, Radford has had a fantastic time in PyeongChang. He began the Olympics with a gold medal in the team figure skating event.
Then, he and his skating partner, Meagan Duhamel, earned a bronze medal in the main pairs skating event.
He also announced his retirement.
However, despite all the political tension, it’s been a good Olympics for Rippon too. He started with a bronze medal in the team event.
And though he missed out on a medal in the men’s event, he’s become a star in his own right.
