The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Figure Skating›Johnny Weir
Sports • Figure Skating

Johnny Weir

Johnny Weir is an American retired figure skater and television commentator.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Johnny Weir is an American retired figure skater and television commentator. He is a two-time Olympian, the 2008 World bronze medallist, a two-time Grand Prix Final bronze medallist, the 2001 World Junior Champion, and a three-time U.S. national champion.

Early life and skating start

Weir was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and began skating in childhood. Sources differ on the exact starting age, but they agree he first developed interest after seeing skating on television and went on to train in figure skating.

Competitive career

Weir became one of the top American men’s skaters of his era, winning the World Junior title in 2001 and three U.S. national championships from 2004 to 2006. He also won bronze medals at the 2006 and 2007 Grand Prix Finals and at the 2008 World Championships.

Olympic appearances

Weir represented the United States at the 2006 Turin Olympics and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He did not win an Olympic medal; his highest Olympic finish was fifth in 2006.

Broadcasting and media work

After retiring from competitive skating in 2013, Weir worked as a television commentator and analyst, including Olympic coverage for NBC alongside Tara Lipinski and Terry Gannon. He also appeared in reality television and other media projects.

Key facts

  • Johnny Weir is a retired American figure skater and television commentator.
  • He won the World Junior Championships in 2001 and three consecutive U.S. national titles from 2004 to 2006.
  • He competed at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics, with a best finish of fifth place.
  • He won the bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships.
  • After retiring, he became a figure skating commentator for NBC.
🍁
Canadian context

Weir is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through international figure skating coverage, especially Olympic and World Championship events watched in Canada. His career is also of interest as part of the broader North American figure skating scene.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Johnny Weir?
Johnny Weir is an American former competitive figure skater and television commentator known for his success in U.S. and international skating.
What is Johnny Weir best known for in skating?
He is best known for winning the 2001 World Junior Championship, three U.S. national titles, and the bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships.
Did Johnny Weir win an Olympic medal?
No. He competed in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics, and his best Olympic result was fifth place in 2006.
When did Johnny Weir retire from competition?
He announced his retirement from competitive skating in 2013.
What does Johnny Weir do now?
He works as a figure skating commentator and media personality, including Olympic coverage for NBC.

References

  1. Olympics.com — https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/johnny-weir
    Supports: Olympic participation and birth year.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/athletes/johnny-weir
    Supports: Birth details, career highlights, retirement, and personal background.
  3. International Skating Union — https://www.isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/johnny-weir/
    Supports: Skating profile, birth date, background, and media work.
  4. NBC Sports — https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/bios/johnny-weir
    Supports: Broadcasting role and figure skating analyst biography.