Challenges in the Life of Johnny Weir in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Johnny Weir. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

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

1984: Father's Car Accident

In 1984, Johnny Weir's father, John Weir, had a disabling car accident, making it difficult for him to travel and attend his son's competitions.

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.

2002: Disastrous Season Start

In the 2002–2003 season, Johnny Weir skated in one international competition, the Finlandia Trophy, and withdrew from the Cup of Russia.

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: Withdrawal from U.S. Championships

In 2003, Johnny Weir withdrew during his free skate from the U.S. Championships in Dallas, after injuring his back and knee.

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: Press and U.S. Figure Skating Support Lysacek

In 2006 the press and U.S. Figure Skating started to actively support Lysacek over Johnny Weir.

2006: Troubled Season

The 2005-2006 season started with a "minor calamity" for Johnny Weir, marked by disappointing finishes and the need to rework his short program due to judges' feedback, along with a troubled personal relationship.

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: 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.

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.

2009: Weir considers quitting figure skating

After the previous season, in 2009 Johnny Weir became depressed and was ready to quit figure skating before the 2009–2010 season, but his mother talked him into continuing and try to make the U.S. team for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

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: 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.

2010: Publicly Addressed Homophobic Remarks

During the 2010 Olympics, television commentators brought up Johnny Weir's sexual orientation during his performances, causing him to publicly address homophobic remarks by commentators.

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.

January 2014: Temporary restraining order filed and dismissed

In January 2014, a temporary restraining order was filed and dismissed.

February 2014: Filing for Divorce

In February 2014, Johnny Weir filed for divorce from Victor Voronov.

March 2014: Court Appearance and Allegations

In March 2014, Johnny Weir and Victor Voronov appeared in court to dismiss allegations of domestic violence against Weir. Later in March 2014, Weir accused Voronov of rape.