History of Adam Rippon in Timeline

Adam Rippon is a retired American figure skater and media personality. He achieved significant success in his career, including an Olympic bronze medal in the team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics, the 2010 Four Continents title, and the 2016 U.S. National Championship. Rippon also competed individually at the 2018 Olympics, finishing 10th. Earlier in his career, he was a two-time Junior World Champion, the 2007–2008 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion, and the 2008 U.S. junior national champion.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 11, 1989: Adam Rippon's Birth

On November 11, 1989, Adam Richard Rippon was born. He is a retired American competitive figure skater and media personality.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Began Being Coached by Yelena Sergeeva

In 2000, Adam Rippon began being coached by Yelena Sergeeva.

2004: Parents' Divorce

In 2004, Adam Rippon's parents divorced.

2004: 2004-05 Skating Season

In the 2004-05 season, Rippon won the silver medal at the Novice level at the 2005 U.S. Championships.

2005: Silver at U.S. Championships and Gold at Triglav Trophy

In 2005, Adam Rippon won the silver medal at the Novice level at the U.S. Championships and the gold medal at the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia in the junior division.

2006: 2005-06 Junior Grand Prix event in Croatia and 2006 U.S. Championships

In 2006, Adam Rippon competed at the 2005-06 ISU Junior Grand Prix event in Croatia where he placed 6th and at the 2006 U.S. Championships where he placed 11th at the junior level.

February 2007: Began Working with Nikolai Morozov

In February 2007, Adam Rippon left Yelena Sergeeva and began working with Nikolai Morozov at the Ice House in Hackensack, New Jersey.

2007: 2007-2008 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion

In 2007, Adam Rippon competed in the 2007-2008 Junior Grand Prix Final.

2007: 2007-2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit

In 2007, Adam Rippon competed on the 2007-2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit. He won gold at the Harghita Cup and silver at the Sofia Cup, qualifying him for the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final.

2007: End of Coaching by Yelena Sergeeva

In 2007, Adam Rippon's coaching by Yelena Sergeeva concluded.

November 2008: Departure from Morozov

In late November 2008, Adam Rippon left his coach, Nikolai Morozov.

December 2008: Move to Toronto and Training with Brian Orser

In December 2008, Adam Rippon moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to begin training with Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club.

2008: 2008 Junior World Champion and Other Achievements

In 2008, Adam Rippon won the Junior World Championships and the U.S. junior national championships. He was also the 2007-2008 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion.

2008: Junior Title at U.S. Championships and Junior Worlds Gold

In 2008, Adam Rippon won the Junior title at the U.S. Championships and was awarded the EDI Award for the best men's free skate. He then won the gold medal at the 2008 Junior Worlds.

2008: Junior Grand Prix Final Gold Medal

In 2008, Adam Rippon won the gold medal at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, becoming the first man to break 200 points at a Junior level competition.

January 2, 2009: Coaching Change Announcement

On January 2, 2009, Adam Rippon officially announced his coaching change to Brian Orser.

2009: Senior Nationals Debut and Junior Worlds Win

In 2009, Adam Rippon made his senior-level national debut at the U.S. Championships, placing seventh. He then won the 2009 Junior World Championships, becoming the first single skater to win two World Junior titles.

2009: Grand Prix Events and Ankle Sprain

In 2009, Adam Rippon sprained his ankle during the summer, affecting his training. He competed at the Trophée Eric Bompard, winning a bronze medal, and finished 6th at the NHK Trophy.

2009: 2009 Junior World Champion

In 2009, Adam Rippon won his second Junior World Championship.

2010: 2010 Four Continents Champion

In 2010, Adam Rippon became the Four Continents Champion.

2010: Japan Open and Grand Prix Events

In 2010, Adam Rippon began his season at the Japan Open. During the 2010-11 ISU Grand Prix season, he collided with Patrick Chan at Skate Canada International and won the bronze medal. He placed 4th overall at the 2010 Skate America.

2010: U.S. Championships, Four Continents, and Worlds

In 2010, Adam Rippon finished 5th at the U.S. Championships. He was named as a second alternate for the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 World Championships, and assigned to the 2010 Four Continents Championships where he won the gold medal. He was included in the U.S. team to Worlds where he placed 6th overall.

June 16, 2011: Training Change Announcement

On June 16, 2011, Adam Rippon announced he was leaving Canada and returning to train in the US at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan under Jason Dungjen.

2011: U.S. Championships and Four Continents

In 2011, Adam Rippon finished 5th at the U.S. Championships and was assigned to the 2011 Four Continents Championships, where he also finished 5th.

2011: 2011 Skate Canada and 2011 Trophée Eric Bompard

In 2011, Adam Rippon was assigned to Skate Canada and Trophée Eric Bompard as his Grand Prix events. He finished 4th at Skate Canada.

September 2012: Coaching Change Announcement

In September 2012, Adam Rippon announced a coaching change, moving to train with Rafael Arutyunyan in Lake Arrowhead, California.

2012: 2012 U.S. Championships, Four Continents, and Worlds

In 2012, Adam Rippon won the silver medal at the U.S. Championships. He finished 4th at Four Continents and 13th at Worlds.

February 2, 2013: Withdrawal from Four Continents due to Ankle Injury

On February 2, 2013, Adam Rippon withdrew from the 2013 Four Continents after sustaining an ankle injury.

October 2013: 2013 Skate America

In October 2013, Adam Rippon competed at the 2013 Skate America. He captured the silver medal and finished as the top American.

October 2014: 2014 CS Finlandia Trophy

In October 2014, Adam Rippon competed at the 2014 CS Finlandia Trophy finishing first in the free program and second overall.

October 2, 2015: Publicly Came Out as Gay

On October 2, 2015, Adam Rippon publicly came out as gay.

2016: 2016 U.S. National Champion

In 2016, Adam Rippon became the U.S. National Champion.

2016: Grand Prix Competitions and Final Qualification

In 2016, Adam Rippon won bronze at the 2016 CS U.S. Classic, and bronze at both of his Grand Prix competitions – the 2016 Skate America and 2016 Trophée de France. As a result, he qualified for the Grand Prix Final.

2016: Gold at U.S. Championships and Worlds Performance

In 2016, Adam Rippon won gold at the U.S. Championships and placed sixth at the World Championships in Boston, skating to a medley of Beatles tunes.

January 6, 2017: Ankle Sprain and Fracture

On January 6, 2017, Adam Rippon sprained his left ankle and fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot during an off-ice warmup, leading to his withdrawal from the 2017 U.S. Championships.

2017: 2017 CS Finlandia Trophy, 2017 NHK Trophy and 2017 Skate America

In 2017, Adam Rippon won a bronze medal at 2017 CS Finlandia Trophy and silver medals in both of his Grand Prix assignments, 2017 NHK Trophy and 2017 Skate America.

January 7, 2018: Selection for 2018 Winter Olympics

On January 7, 2018, Adam Rippon was selected to represent Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

February 2018: Concerns about Mike Pence leading US delegation

In February 2018, Adam Rippon voiced concerns about then-Vice President Mike Pence leading the US delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony due to Pence's support of policies deemed hostile to gay people.

April 13, 2018: Dancing with the Stars Competition

On April 13, 2018, Adam Rippon was announced as a contestant on season 26 of Dancing with the Stars. He and his partner Jenna Johnson won the competition.

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November 19, 2018: Retirement Announcement

On November 19, 2018, Adam Rippon announced his retirement from competitive figure skating.

2018: 2018 Winter Olympics and Other Achievements

In 2018, Adam Rippon achieved several milestones, including winning a bronze medal in the team event at the Winter Olympics, finishing 10th in the individual event, and becoming the first openly gay U.S. athlete to qualify for and win a medal at the Winter Games.

2018: First Openly Gay U.S. Winter Olympian and DWTS Win

In 2018, Adam Rippon became the first openly gay U.S. athlete to qualify for the Winter Olympics and win a medal. He also won season 26 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Jenna Johnson.

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2018: Meeting Jussi-Pekka Kajaala

In 2018, Adam Rippon met his future husband, Jussi-Pekka Kajaala, on Tinder.

2018: Time 100 List

In 2018, Adam Rippon was named to Time Magazine's Time 100 list of the 100 most influential people.

April 2019: Time 100 Gala Honoring Mother

In April 2019, at the Time 100 Gala, Adam Rippon honored his mother for her inspiration and dedication to his success, emphasizing the importance of dedication and support.

October 2019: Memoir Release

In October 2019, Adam Rippon released his memoir, "Beautiful on the Outside".

2019: Guest-hosting RuPaul's Drag Race and appearances in music videos

In 2019, Adam Rippon guest-hosted RuPaul's Drag Race season 11 "Ruveal" livestreams with Aquaria and appeared in Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" music video, which won the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year. He also appeared in Superfruit's "The Promise" music video in 2019.

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2019: RuPaul's Drag Race Guest Hosting

In 2019, Adam Rippon guest-hosted an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race season 11, titled "The Draglympics".

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2020: Donation to The Okra Project and criticism of Alexei Yagudin

In 2020, Adam Rippon donated to The Okra Project and criticized Alexei Yagudin's derogatory comments, making a subsequent donation in Yagudin's name.

2020: Endorsement of Elizabeth Warren

In 2020, Adam Rippon endorsed and campaigned for Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.

2021: Starring in MTV's Messyness

In 2021, Adam Rippon starred in MTV's comedy series Messyness.

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December 31, 2021: Marriage to Jussi-Pekka Kajaala

On December 31, 2021, Adam Rippon and Jussi-Pekka Kajaala were married.

2022: Criticism of IOC for selecting Beijing as host city

In 2022, Adam Rippon criticized the International Olympic Committee for selecting Beijing as the host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics, citing human rights concerns.