Non-binary skater Timothy LeDuc makes Winter Olympics history with breathtaking performance

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US skater Timothy LeDuc has gone down in the history books as the first openly non-binary athlete to participate in a Winter Olympics event.

The trailblazing skater and their partner Ashley Cain-Gribble took to the ice on Friday (18 February) as part of the Olympic figure skating pair’s short programme.

There were due to be 19 pairs competing in the event, but the Hungarian duo withdrew before the programme. This left 18 teams from across the global to vie for the top 16 spots so they could progress to the free skating event on Saturday (19 February).

Team USA’s Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier were the early leaders in the programme with a score of 74.23.

But LeDuc and Cain-Gribble came out swinging in the qualifying rounds with a gorgeous performance to Ilan Eshkeri’s “The White Crow”.

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Their stunning routine included perfectly in sync side-by-side triple loops and ultimately garnered the pair a total score of 74.13, putting them just a hair below their Team USA teammates. Both pairs have now secured a sport in Saturday’s free skate.

Ashley Cain-Gribble had a huge smile on her face as she hugged Timothy LeDuc close after the duo finished their stunning routine. As they exited the ice, she was heard commenting: “We’re officially Olympians.”

History maker.

With their performance in the pairs' short program, Timothy LeDuc is the first publicly out non-binary athlete to compete at a #WinterOlympics. pic.twitter.com/ouKovdAZhD

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 18, 2022

Timothy LeDuc just became the first publicly out nonbinary athlete to compete at a #WinterOlympics

We’re so proud of them ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VsAG77M3Pd

— Peacock (@peacockTV) February 18, 2022

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Perfectly in sync