On the brink of history
Timothy LeDuc wants everyone to know they are here. DFW-based figure skater LeDuc first openly non-binary Olympic athlete COY COVINGTON | Contributing WriterCoyAct@aol.com Timothy LeDuc is poised to become the first openly non-binary athlete to compete in the Olympic Winter Games, starting this week in Beijing.
LeDuc and their ferocious partner, Ashley Cain-Gribble, were named to the Olympic team in January after winning the U.S. Nationals Pairs title for the second time and are representing the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The figure skating team event and Opening Ceremonies began Friday, Feb. 4 (Beijing time). Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc. (Photo Courtesy Jay Adeff/U.S.
Figure Skating) Though the North Texas-based team has achieved many goals, that success hasn’t come easily. “Both Ashley and I have had to forge our own paths to find our success,” LeDuc said in a recent email. “For me as an openly queer athlete and for Ashley as a taller pair girl, we have both been told we don’t belong. “Despite not seeing ourselves represented in the archetypes of success in our sport, we are here as two time national champions headed to the Olympics,” LeDuc continued. “Our hope is that when people see us skate and hear our story that they are inspired to lead with authenticity and with what makes them unique and different.
