Career Timeline of Johnny Weir: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Johnny Weir, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Johnny Weir is an American retired figure skater and television commentator. He is a two-time Olympian and achieved significant success in his skating career. Weir won the World bronze medal in 2008, earned two Grand Prix Final bronze medals, and became the 2001 World Junior Champion. He distinguished himself as a three-time U.S. National champion (2004–2006). Weir holds the distinction of being the youngest U.S. National champion since 1991 and was the first skater to win three consecutive U.S. National titles since Brian Boitano. He was also the first American to win the Cup of Russia in 2007.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1987: Galindo and Eldredge

In 2001, Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek coming in first and second at the World Junior Championships was the first time since Rudy Galindo and Todd Eldredge in 1987 that American men came in first and second place.

1988: Brian Boitano Earns High Scores at Nationals

In 1988, Brian Boitano earned eight 6.0s for presentation at the U.S. Nationals, a feat that was later surpassed by Weir in 2005.

1991: Eldredge won Nationals

In 2004, Johnny Weir was the youngest male skater to win the U.S. Nationals since Todd Eldredge won in 1991 at the age of 19.

1992: Zmievskaya Coached Viktor Petrenko

In 1992, Galina Zmievskaya coached Viktor Petrenko to become an Olympic champion.

1994: No American Male won Medals at World Championship

In 2004, Johnny Weir competed in the U.S. World Championships team. It was the first time since 1994 that no American male won medals at the World Championships.

1996: Rudy Galindo qualified at sectionals

In 2004, Johnny Weir came in first place, the first to do so by qualifying at sectionals since Rudy Galindo in 1996.

1997: Regional Competitions as a Novice

During the 1997–1998 season, Johnny Weir won regional and other minor competitions as a novice in single skating.

1997: First Year of Skating Competition

In 1997, Johnny Weir competed in both singles and pair skating during his first year of competition. He finished fourth as a juvenile in the Junior Olympics and won first place in the South Atlantic Regionals, also as a juvenile.

1998: Third Place at U.S. National Championships

During the 1997–1998 season, Johnny Weir came in third place in the novice division at the U.S. National Championships.

1998: Derrick Delmore won at Junior Worlds

In 2001, Johnny Weir was the first American male skater since Derrick Delmore won in 1998 to win the gold medal at the World Junior Championships.

1999: Competed at Junior Level

During the 1998–1999 season, Johnny Weir moved up to the junior level and competed in regional and minor competitions.

1999: Eligible for Junior Grand Prix

During the 1999-2000 season, Johnny Weir became eligible to compete in the Junior Grand Prix.

1999: Junior Grand Prix Debut

During the 1999–2000 season, Johnny Weir became eligible to compete in the Junior Grand Prix, coming in seventh and second place in his two Junior Grand Prix assignments.

1999: Michael Weiss Wins Nationals Title

In 1999 Michael Weiss won U.S. Nationals title. He would later win the title again in 2000.

1999: Junior Eastern Sectionals Win

Johnny Weir won the Junior Eastern Sectionals in 1999.

2000: U.S. Nationals Junior Division

At the 2000 U.S. Nationals, Johnny Weir attempted a triple Axel in his short program but fell. He ended up in fifth place, while Evan Lysacek came in first.

2000: Junior Grand Prix

During the 1999-2000 season, Johnny Weir won the 2001 Junior World Championship.

2000: Michael Weiss Wins Nationals Title

In 2000 Michael Weiss won U.S. Nationals title. He would later lose the title to Johnny Weir in 2005.

2000: Junior Eastern Sectionals Win and Junior Grand Prix Final

In 2000, Johnny Weir won the Junior Eastern Sectionals. He was the third alternate at the 2000 Junior Grand Prix final, coming in sixth and second place at his two Junior Grand Prix assignments

2000: Perfect Score

In 2004, Johnny Weir's scores for his free skate ranged from 5.8 to 6.0, which included seven 5.9s for technical merit and a 6.0 for presentation, the first perfect score earned by a man at U.S. Nationals since Michael Weiss earned one in 2000.

2001: Competed as Senior and Gold Medal at World Junior Championships

During the 2000–2001 season, Johnny Weir competed as a senior for the first time, coming in sixth place at the U.S. Nationals and winning the Eastern Sectionals as a senior. He won the gold medal at the World Junior Championships. Lysacek won the silver medal.

2001: World Junior Champion

In 2001, Johnny Weir became the World Junior Champion.

2001: Ranked 18th-Best in the World

In 2001, Johnny Weir was ranked 18th-best in the world.

2001: Junior World Championship

In 2001, Johnny Weir won the Junior World Championship.

2002: Grand Prix Assignments and U.S. Nationals

During the 2001–2002 season, Johnny Weir came in seventh place and fourth place in his two Grand Prix assignments, participated in the Goodwill Games and a team pro-am competition, came in fifth place at the 2002 U.S. Nationals, and came in fourth place in the 2002 Four Continents Championships.

2003: Weir fails to qualify for Worlds Championship

In 2003, Johnny Weir did not qualify to compete at the Worlds championship for the first time since 2003 after a dismal free skate at Nationals. Despite this, he was chosen as favorite skater of the year by the readers of U.S. Figure Skating's Skating Magazine.

2003: Didn't Qualify for World Championships

In 2009, Johnny Weir finished fifth place at the U.S. Nationals, the first time since 2003 that Weir did not qualify to compete at the Worlds championships.

2003: Training with Tatiana Tarasova

In the summer of 2003, Johnny Weir trained with Russian coach Tatiana Tarasova for six weeks at the International Skating Center in Simsbury, Connecticut.

2004: Training with Hill and Tarasova

For the 2004–2005 season, Johnny Weir continued to train with Hill and with Tarasova in Simsbury.

2004: U.S. National Champion

In 2004, Johnny Weir became a three-time U.S. National champion.

2004: Marshall's World Figure Skating Challenge and Champions on Ice Tour

In 2004, Johnny Weir skated in the final ISU-sanctioned competition of the season, the Marshall's World Figure Skating Challenge, coming in third place. He also toured with Champions on Ice the summer of 2004.

2004: Turning Point

The 2003–2004 season was "the turning point" for Johnny Weir, who trained with Russian coach Tatiana Tarasova and moved from his longtime rink to a nearby rink called The Pond.

2005: Grand Prix Season Assignments

In 2004, for the 2004–2005 Grand Prix season, Johnny Weir was assigned the NHK Trophy in Japan and Trophee Bompard in Paris. He also competed in the Cup of Russia in Moscow.

2005: Training with Hill and Tarasov

In 2005, Johnny Weir continued to train with Hill and Tarasov for the 2005-2006 season, and was ranked seventh-best in the world.

2005: Wins Second Nationals Title

In 2005, Johnny Weir won his second Nationals title in a row at the U.S. Nationals, the first repeat championship since 2000. Despite not performing a quadruple jump, his free skate earned him five 6.0s in presentation.

2005: Competitions and Victory

In October 2005, Weir finished fourth at the Campbell's Classic and seventh at Skate Canada due to a sprained ankle. In November, he won third place at Cup of Russia. In December, he won the Marshalls U.S. Figure Skating Challenge.

August 2006: Late Start to Season Training

In August 2006, Johnny Weir began training late for the 2006-2007 season, and illness also hampered his training.

2006: Wins Third Consecutive U.S. Title

At the 2006 U.S. Nationals, Johnny Weir became the first male skater to win three consecutive U.S. titles since Brian Boitano, earning a personal best score in the short program and receiving a standing ovation.

2006: Two-time Olympian and Three-Time U.S. National Champion

In 2006, Johnny Weir became a two-time Olympian. He was the youngest U.S. National champion since 1991. He was also the first skater to win U.S. Nationals three times in a row since Brian Boitano in the late 1980s.

2006: Debut of "The Swan" Program

In 2006, Johnny Weir debuted his short program based on Camille Saint-Saëns' The Swan, featuring a black-and-white costume with a red glove. Despite initial laughter, the program became popular and changed perceptions of him.

2006: Selected for Winter Olympics

In 2006, Johnny Weir secured his third U.S. title, though his free skate had flaws. Despite this, Weir, along with Lysacek and Savoie, was selected to represent the U.S. at the 2006 Winter Olympics for the first time.

2007: Programs and Costumes

During the 2006-2007 season, Johnny Weir's free skating program, in which he portrayed the life of Christ, was the weakest of the season. Weir disliked his costume and his program did not go over well with spectators and judges.

2007: Lysacek wins U.S. Nationals over Weir

In 2007, Evan Lysacek won his second straight gold at Nationals, tying with Johnny Weir at 244.77 points. Lysacek was named U.S. champion because he won the free skate. Weir's fans and the media protested, alleging homophobia, but the results stood. Stephen Carriere came in third. Lysacek, Weir, and Carriere were named eligible to compete at the World Championships.

2007: Cup of Russia Winner

In 2007, Johnny Weir became the first American to win the Cup of Russia.

2007: Third Place at Nationals

In 2007, Johnny Weir came in third place at Nationals. He was unable to defend his title successfully, and U.S. Figure Skating named all three medalists eligible to compete at 2007 Worlds and 2007 Four Continents Championships.

2007: Withdrawal from Grand Prix Final

In 2007, Johnny Weir competed at the Grand Prix Final but had to withdraw after the short program due to a right hip injury from a fall, admitting his Grand Prix season was disastrous.

2007: Third at U.S. Nationals and New Coach

In 2007, Johnny Weir finished third at the U.S. Nationals and replaced his long-time coach Priscilla Hill with Galina Zmievskaya for the 2007–2008 season.

2007: New Coach and Training Routine

In 2007, Johnny Weir parted from his coach Priscilla Hill, replacing her with Galina Zmievskaya, and changed his choreographer and training routine. He moved to an apartment in New Jersey to train with Zmievskaya, feeling homesick but learning discipline and independence.

2007: Stars on Ice Tour

Over the summer of 2007, Johnny Weir toured with Stars on Ice, performing a combined skating routine, "Fallen Angels", with ice dance team Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov, receiving praise from the audience and commentators.

2008: Tied for First at U.S. Nationals

At the 2008 U.S. Nationals, Johnny Weir tied for first place with Evan Lysacek, but Lysacek was named the U.S. champion.

2008: Weir competes at Skate America

In 2008, Johnny Weir struggled with skate boot problems early in the 2008–2009 season. He competed at Skate America for the first time, coming in second place overall with 225.20 points. Takahiko Kozuka won the gold medal. Weir was disappointed in his spins, but his footwork sequences were "spectacular", and he scored 80.55 points.

2008: World Bronze Medalist

In 2008, Johnny Weir won the World bronze medal.

2008: New Training Routine

Johnny Weir replaced his longtime coach Priscilla Hill in 2007-2008 with Galina Zmievskaya to help him grow and win championships again.

June 2009: Pop Star on Ice Premieres

In June 2009, Johnny Weir's documentary, "Pop Star on Ice", premiered during the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco and aired at film festivals around the U.S.

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2009: Skate boot problems affect Weir's performance

At the beginning of the 2008-2009 season, Johnny Weir, ranked seventh in the world, struggled with skate boot problems. In 2009, for the first time in his career, Weir competed at Skate America, placing second overall with 225.20 points.

2009: Abbott wins U.S. Nationals, Weir finishes seventh

In 2009, Jeremy Abbott won the gold medal at U.S. Nationals, breaking Weir and Lysacek's dominance. Johnny Weir, compromised by illness, finished in seventh place in the short program with 70.76 points, his lowest result at Nationals as a senior skater.

2009: Weir wins bronze medal at Worlds

In 2009, Johnny Weir did not compete at the Four Continents Championships due to fatigue and was replaced by Jeremy Abbott. At Worlds, Weir was in second place after the short program. His free skate was described as "conservative but relatively error-free", and he won his first worlds medal, a bronze, with 221.84 points, securing three slots for the American men in the 2009 Worlds championship.

2009: Failed to Qualify for Worlds Championship

In 2009, Johnny Weir finished fifth place at the U.S. Nationals, marking the first time since 2003 that he did not qualify to compete at the Worlds championships.

January 2010: "Be Good Johnny Weir" Premieres on Sundance Channel

In January 2010, "Pop Star on Ice" premiered in Manhattan and aired on the Sundance Channel, which funded its filming and production. Sundance also commissioned and aired an eight-episode documentary series, "Be Good Johnny Weir", which depicted the ups and downs of his career. Variety called "Pop Star on Ice" "a fascinating portrait" of Weir.

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July 2010: Weir withdraws from 2010-2011 season

In July 2010, Johnny Weir announced his withdrawal from the 2010-2011 season, stating that he wanted to take a year "to explore and reinvent myself as an athlete and artist". He left open the possibility to return in time for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

2010: Weir finishes fourth at Rostelecom Cup

In 2010, Johnny Weir came in fourth place overall at the Rostelecom Cup, after placing third in the short program and sixth in his free skate. He said that his Russian fans gave him the encouragement to continue at the NHK Trophy.

2010: Weir earns spot on U.S. Olympic team

In 2010, Johnny Weir placed third overall at the U.S. Nationals with 232.09 points. He was sent to the 2010 Winter Olympics along with Jeremy Abbott and Evan Lysacek. Weir's costume was criticized and his free skate was described as "oddly passive and stumbling".

2010: Qualified for Winter Olympics

In 2010, Johnny Weir qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics by winning bronze at the 2010 U.S. Nationals.

2010: Weir serves as judge on Skating with the Stars

In 2010, Johnny Weir served as a judge on "Skating with the Stars", along with Dick Button and Laurieann Gibson. The show lasted only one season.

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2010: Two-time Olympian

In 2010, Johnny Weir was a two-time Olympian.

June 2011: Weir withdraws from 2011-2012 season

In June 2011, Johnny Weir announced his withdrawal from the 2011-2012 season, citing his inability to train adequately due to his "many obligations". He expressed his intention to compete in Sochi.

2011: Weir focuses on personal life and figure skating shows

In 2011, Johnny Weir took the next two seasons off from competitive skating, focusing on his personal life, figure skating shows, a singing career, and celebrity events.

2011: Weir releases autobiography and comes out

In early 2011, Johnny Weir came out with the publication of his autobiography, "Welcome to My World".

Big Nate: Welcome to My World

Check it on Amazon

2011: Weir begins training for competitive skating return

In the fall of 2011, Johnny Weir began to quietly train for a possible return to competitive skating.

2011: Came Out Publicly

Johnny Weir came out in early 2011 and has been involved with LGBTQ activism.

January 2012: Weir announces return to competitive skating

In January 2012, Johnny Weir announced his return to competitive skating, with the goal of competing at the Sochi Olympics. He used music from "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga for his short program.

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2012: Weir competes at Finlandia Trophy

In 2012, Johnny Weir competed at the Finlandia Trophy, attempting a quadruple jump and coming in fourth place overall. He was in fourth place after the short program, earning 69.03 points. He later told reporters that he was nervous and that the competition was the hardest thing he had done in his career.

2012: Weir focuses on personal life and figure skating shows

In 2012, Johnny Weir focused on personal life, figure skating shows, a singing career, and celebrity events after withdrawing from the 2011-2012 season.

October 2013: Weir joins NBC as figure skating analyst

In October 2013, Johnny Weir retired from competition and joined NBC as a figure skating analyst at the Sochi Olympics, teamed up with Terry Gannon and Tara Lipinski.

October 2013: Weir retires from competition and joins NBC

In October 2013, Johnny Weir retired from competition and joined NBC as a figure skating analyst at the Sochi Olympics.

2013: Weir writes a weekly column for Falls-Church News Press

In 2013, Johnny Weir began writing a weekly column in the Falls-Church News Press, a newspaper published in the Washington, D.C. area.

2013: Weir prepares for U.S. Nationals

In 2013, Johnny Weir competed at small competitions and qualifying events to be eligible to compete at the 2013 U.S. Nationals.

2013: Weir withdraws from Grand Prix events due to injury

In 2013, Johnny Weir withdrew from the Rostelecom Cup after the short program due to re-aggravating his ACL. He also withdrew from Trophée Bompard due to a hip injury and did not compete at the 2013 U.S. Nationals, but still hoped to make the U.S. Olympic team in 2014.

2013: Retirement from Competitive Figure Skating

Johnny Weir retired from competitive figure skating in 2013.

2014: Weir hopes to make U.S. Olympic team

In 2013, Johnny Weir did not compete at the 2013 U.S. Nationals, but still hoped to make the U.S. Olympic team in 2014.

2014: Weir designs Hanyu's costume for Sochi Olympics

In 2014, Johnny Weir designed Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu's costume for his free skating program, worn during the Sochi Olympics.

2014: Weir's bid to compete in Sochi ends

In 2014, Johnny Weir did not register for a qualifying event, ending his bid to compete in Sochi. He joined NBC as a figure skating analyst at the Sochi Olympics.

2014: Weir considers return for Sochi Olympics

In July 2010, Johnny Weir withdrew from the 2010-2011 season and left open the possibility to return in time for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

2014: Joins NBC as a Commentator

Johnny Weir joined NBC as a commentator beginning at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. He was teamed with sports commentator Terry Gannon and fellow figure skater Tara Lipinski. Also in 2014, they became NBC's primary figure skating analysts.

2016: Fashion Analyst and Correspondent for the 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Johnny Weir worked alongside Tara Lipinski as a fashion analyst and correspondent for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

2018: Weir commentates for the Winter Olympics

In 2018, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski commentated for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

2020: Weir hosts closing ceremonies in Pyeongchang and commentates for the Summer Olympics

In 2020, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski hosted the closing ceremonies in Pyeongchang, as well as for the 2020 Summer Olympics

2020: Dancing with the Stars contestant

In 2020, Johnny Weir appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.

2022: Weir commentates for the Winter Olympics

In 2022, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski hosted the closing ceremonies as well as commentated for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

May 2023: Retirement from Performance Skating Announced

In May 2023, Johnny Weir announced his retirement from performance skating, which had been postponed due to COVID-19. He skated his final performances in May and June of 2023.

September 2023: Skating Academy Announcement

In September 2023, Johnny Weir announced that he would create a skating academy in Wilmington, Delaware, to train skaters for national and world competitions.