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American Paralympic Skier Jake Adicoff Makes History as First Out Gay Man to Win Individual Winter Gold

Photo Credit: Jake Adicoff / Instagram

by Chris Tremblay  Mar 13

Jake Adicoff, an openly gay American para cross-country skier, achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, by winning gold in the sprint event on March 10, 2026. This victory made Adicoff the first out gay man to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Paralympics.

Competing in the visually impaired category, Adicoff from Sun Valley, Idaho, skied alongside guide Peter Wolter to secure the win in para cross-country skiing. The gold elevates Adicoff's Paralympic medal count to five, including a previous team relay gold from the 2022 Beijing Games where he anchored Team USA to victory by overcoming a 30.7-second deficit. Adicoff, who was born with no vision in his right eye and limited vision in his left, has competed internationally since attending his first para Nordic ski camp in 10th grade, debuting at the 2014 Sochi Paralympics and earning silver in the 10-kilometer classical race at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

Adicoff's path to the podium was shaped by his collegiate skiing career at Bowdoin College, where he majored in math and computer science and competed in the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association . There, he honed his skills against able-bodied athletes, learning to embrace disadvantages in races. "I am disadvantaged going into some races, and that's OK," Adicoff said. The team environment solidified his motivation: "The people that kind of surround my ski racing are a huge part of why I do it." He described EISA racing as "the most fun circuit ever" due to its team scoring and atmosphere.

In para Nordic skiing, visually impaired athletes like Adicoff rely on sighted guides who ski ahead to provide directional cues, a role often filled by former college skiers. "Pretty much all did college skiing," Adicoff noted, emphasizing the need for guides fast enough to lead at elite levels. His independent skiing skills from Bowdoin proved critical: "Learning how to ski by myself was critical to my success. It made me a really good skier."

This sprint gold represents the midpoint of Adicoff's ambitious goal: four gold medals in four races at the 2026 Paralympics, with an individual gold long a personal target after prior team and silver successes. "I still don't have individual gold medals. That's what I want," he stated prior to the Games.

Adicoff's success as an out gay athlete underscores increasing representation for LGBTQ+ individuals in Paralympic sports, inspiring others with disabilities. "I would encourage anyone to never shy away from a sporting experience," he said. Coverage from LGBTQ+-focused outlets like Outsports highlights the significance of his milestone for queer athletes in adaptive sports, noting his place in Team LGBTQ+ history. Local Idaho media celebrated "Team Idaho" bringing home gold, amplifying community pride.

Adicoff began Nordic skiing as a child after his parents deemed downhill Alpine too risky given his vision impairment, qualifying for junior nationals in 2011 and 2013. His journey reflects resilience, collegiate grit, and partnership with guides, positioning him as a leader among visually impaired skiers worldwide. As the Paralympics continue, Adicoff eyes further podium finishes to cap a dominant performance.


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