These Championship-Winning Athletes Declined Their Invitations To The White House And They Have Their Reasons

Gus Kenworthy Wanted To Prove A Point

Photo Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Gus Kenworthy declined his invitation for political reasons. He made a point after the honorary visit that several athletes had done the same. In a Tweet sent out April 26, 2018, Kenworthy said, “Today is this year’s visit and USOC spokesperson says he’s never seen so many athletes turn down their invites. The resistance is real.”

His Tweet was a reply to USA Today, who posted an article the same day about the turnout. The White House countered, saying the attendance was similar to what it was in 2014.