“My earliest memory of the Olympics was watching the 1996 Games in Atlanta. I remember everyone being so excited to watch. Seeing the American athletes on the podium, I saw myself. I knew that that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to be one of those athletes on the podium representing their country and bringing home medals.”

American retired competitive figure skater and media personality

Adam Rippon is an American retired competitive figure skater and media personality. He is known for his career on the ice, which included a bronze medal in the team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics, as well as national and international titles. Rippon won the 2010 Four Continents Championship and the 2016 U.S. National Championship. Before his senior career, he was a two-time Junior World Champion, won the 2007 to 2008 Junior Grand Prix Final, and took the 2008 U.S. junior national title. He also competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, where he placed 10th.