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
MLB’s Cleveland Team Retires Native American Nickname, Now Called 'Guardians'
Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team finally has a new moniker, the Guardians. Formerly known as the Indians, the organization made a change to the team name after years of public scrutiny and claims of appropriation of Native American culture. Cheddar’s Hena Doba and Baker Machado provide some additional details into the name change.
N2K: 7 States Hold Midterm Primaries, Manchin Offers Potential Gun Control Path, 5 Tampa Bay Rays Players Refuse Pride Patch
Here are your Need2Know stories for Tuesday June 7, 2022: Today, voters head to the polls for primary elections in California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Senator Joe Manchin said he would support raising age requirements for gun purchases to 21. Manchin told CNN he also "wouldn't have a problem looking at" a ban on AR-15 assault rifles. Meanwhile, five players on the Tampa Bay Rays roster opted not to wear a patch added to its uniforms intended to celebrate pride month.
Shaheen Holloway Ready to Take Alma Mater Seton Hall to Next Level
Shaheen Holloway, fresh off leading Saint Peter's on an improbable Elite Eight run, says on Closing Bell that he is looking to take his alma mater Seton Hall to new heights this coming season as head coach. Holloway also provides his insight on the NIL era in college athletics - while he's happy for the players, he also considers the current system 'scary' because more rules and regulations need to be in place.
LA Rams Star Cooper Kupp on Partners With Pataday to Take on Seasonal Allergies
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is partnering with eye-drop brand Pataday to help those struggling with allergies — such as himself. The Super Bowl LVI MVPjoined Cheddar News to discuss his own struggle with seasonal allergies. “It's right when football's starting back up, I feel like I get so excited to finally be back playing the game, and then, you know, spring comes around and completely knocks me out," he said.
NASCAR Returns to Sonoma Next Week, Fans Will 'Be in Full Force'
Jill Gregory, EVP & General Manager of Sonoma Raceway, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where she discusses how next weekend's NASCAR slate will be ramped up, with fans attending at full capacity, and how the venue's road course will give both drivers and fans a unique experience.
Pepsi Will No Longer Sponsor the Super Bowl Half Time Show
Pepsi’s 10-year contract with the NFL to sponsor the Super Bowl Half Time Show has come to an end and the rights are now up for grabs, leaving football fans to wonder what competitor or a wild card will jump in to take the food and beverage giant's place. However, PepsiCo will still have pour rights at all of the NFL major events.
Load More