Gay Skier Jake Adicoff Wins 4 Golds at Paralympics

Jake Adicoff set an audacious goal four years ago: win four gold medals at the 2026 Winter Paralympics. Last week in Italy, the visually impaired cross-country skier did exactly that, while quietly making LGBTQ+ history along the way.

The 30-year-old from Sun Valley, Idaho, became the first openly gay athlete to win an individual winter Paralympic championship. He swept gold in the sprint, 10km classical, 20km freestyle, and 4x2.5km mixed relay events, all in the visually impaired category.

"Four races, four gold medals, that was the goal," Adicoff said after his final win. "It was really hard but it was so rewarding to do it."

The achievement wasn't just about personal glory. Before the games, Adicoff told Outsports that representing the LGBTQ+ community at the elite level mattered deeply to him.

"The higher you get in sport, the less out people that you see," he explained. "Showing that it's possible to reach this upper echelon of sport as an out athlete and as a para athlete, that's super important to me."

Adicoff admitted the pressure of publicly declaring his goal was "incredibly scary." He doubted himself throughout the week, unsure if he could deliver on such a bold promise.

But when the races came together, his years of training and dedication paid off. His Italian gold haul adds to an already impressive collection: one gold and two silver medals from Beijing 2022, plus a silver from Pyeongchang 2018.

Why This Inspires

At 14, Adicoff couldn't have imagined himself as either an openly gay athlete or a Paralympic champion. Now he's both, and he knows what that visibility means.

"If I can change that mindset for one other 14-year-old growing up who's having that similar experience, not knowing where sport can take them, then that's a success," he said.

His message is simple but powerful: you can be yourself and still reach the highest levels of achievement. No compromises necessary.

After his final race, Adicoff said he was looking forward to sleep, relaxation, and celebrating with the teammates and friends who've supported him since day one. Four gold medals around his neck, four years of dreaming finally realized.