Johnny nominated
for USOC Sportsman
of the year

January 21, 2005

Johnny Weir has been nominated the 2004 top male figure skater by the United States Olympic Committee and is among the candidates vying for the 2004 USOC SportsMan of the year.

“Awesome,” said Weir upon learning of his selection representing figure skating. “It’s definitely a big honor and I worked hard to be considered for this award.”

The nominees are the 2004 Athletes and Teams of the Year representing Olympic, Pan American and Affiliated Sport Organizations within the U.S. Olympic Movement.

Each year the USOC recognizes the top male and top female athletes and the top team as selected by their respective member organizations. Members of the USOC Board of Directors along with representatives of the national media participate in the voting.

“It’s all the more awesome because I’ve felt like the black sheep of skating,” Weir said.

Weir began 2004 by winning his first U.S. title at the age of 19 – making him the youngest U.S. men's champion since Todd Eldredge in 1991. He landed eight triples and was awarded one 6.0 for presentation. He placed fifth in his first appearance at the World Figure Skating Championships, the top finish by a U.S. man. In the fall of 2004 Weir won gold at both the NHK Trophy in Japan and Trophée Eric Bompard Cachemire in France, and silver at the Cup of Russia. Weir's finishes at these events qualified him for the 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final, though he was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Weir began 2005 by defending his U.S. National Championship at Portland, Oregon.