Olympic freeskier Hunter Hess flashes an 'L' sign, says he stands by his statement
ABC News
American freeskier Hunter Hess got to the end of his successful run in Olympic halfpipe qualifying, then bent his left thumb and forefinger into the shape of an “L.”
LIVIGNO, Italy -- American freeskier Hunter Hess got to the end of his successful run in Olympic halfpipe qualifying, then leaned into the camera. He bent his left thumb and forefinger into the shape of an “L," lifted it to his forehead and pointed at it with the other hand.
“Apparently,” he explained, “I'm a loser.”
The 27-year-old who received that label from U.S. President Donald Trump at the start of the Olympics — leading to threats to his family and setting off the first major political imbroglio of the Games — finally got in the starting gate Friday. Fired up after nailing his first run, he flashed the “L” sign, then explained he has used the entire episode as motivation.
“I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen,” Hess said. “I’m not going to let controversy like that get in my way. I love the United States of America. I cannot say that enough. My original statement, I felt like I said that, but apparently people didn’t take it that way. I’m so happy to be here, so happy to represent Team USA.”
Hess was one of four Americans to qualify for the 12-man final, all of whom have a chance to give the U.S. team its first gold medal over nearly two weeks of skiing and snowboarding at the Livigno Snow Park.
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