The enormous pressure on elite athletes to maintain a lean figure could ultimately change the demographics of who can compete at the Olympics. That’s according to New York Times sports reporter Karen Crouse, who broke the news that figure skater Adam Rippon succumbed to an eating disorder to maintain his body shape. “The more it is about appearance, you’re going to get kids in the sport that are younger and younger. You have teenagers whose metabolism is still pretty high and they don’t have these weight issues,” she told Cheddar. “Maybe we are going to see in the future far fewer elite skaters that are 28 years old like Adam.” Rippon, who won a bronze medal in this year’s Games, revealed to Crouse that he subsisted for a time on a daily diet of three slices of bread with a dab of “I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter” and a couple cups of coffee. He thought the longer, thinner frame would be more aesthetically pleasing to the judges. But a broken foot last year changed his mind. “He actually thinks that one of the reasons he suffered this injury was that he wasn’t getting enough calcium and other nutrients, and that made his bones brittle,” Crouse said. “He’s now eating much better and actually is ten pounds heavier than he was two years ago when he won that national title. And if you look at him, he has an enviable body.” Since his injury, Rippon has been workin with a nutritionist with the United States Olympic Committee who’s helped him develop healthier eating habits.

Share:
More In Sports
Yankees Great Bernie Williams Is Ready for His Café Carlyle Debut
New York Yankees great Bernie Williams somehow had time to become a Latin Grammy-nominated jazz musician during his 16-year run with the Bronx Bombers. The four-time World Series champion joins Cheddar to discuss his upcoming gig at New York's legendary Café Carlyle.
Top Stories 2/28/2018
Dick's Sporting Goods announces it will no longer sell assault-style weapons in its stores. Amazon is buying video doorbell company Ring in a deal worth $1 billion. And is it time for "The Fresh Princess of Bel Air?"
Between Bells: February 27, 2018
This Changes Things: Advice for the executives and leaders of tomorrow, brought to you by American Express OPEN. On Between Bells: DACA, flying cars, and the Ryan Seacrest scandal. With Motor Trend, YourTango, and Reason Magazine.
Closing Bell: February 27, 2018
Georgia's Lieutenant Governor is calling on Delta to reinstate its relationship with the NRA. The Dow closes down 300 points. Amazon is buying smart doorbell maker Ring. Former NBA star Al Harrington is looking to become the next marijuana mogul. Cronos Group started trading on the Nasdaq Tuesday. The vertically integrated company became the first marijuana company to join a major exchange in the United States.
Olympic Bobsled Medalist Says Tech is Huge for the Sport
Three-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor was with Cheddar to discuss her journey to becoming the most decorated female U.S. bobsledder in history. Meyers Taylor showed off her shiny new silver medal that she just won at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
Why Ex-NBA'er Al Harrington Got Into the Weed Biz
The former basketball player says his grandmother, who was suffering from glaucoma and diabetes, inspired him to get into this industry. Now, he's working on his own line of products with Harrington Wellness.
Plaintiffs Vow to Appeal After Judge Dismisses Suit to Legalize Weed
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging AG Jeff Sessions and the DEA on marijuana's classification of a Schedule I drug. The ruling marks a defeat for the plaintiffs who include a 12-year-old girl who treats her epilepsy with medical marijuana, a former professional football player, and a former U.S. Army Combat Veteran. An attorney on the case, and one of the plaintiffs share their reaction to the judges decision.
Load More