Figure skater Adam Rippon has become the first openly gay man to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Rippon came in fourth place at the US national championship this weekend, but still was named a member of the men’s winter olympic’s skating team because of his overall score.

“I can’t believe I am where I am today….I was just a little gay kid in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania. Growing up I didn’t have a lot of role models. I said if I was ever given a platform and had a chance I would share my story,” Rippon told reporters.

Rippon told Skating magazine that… “When athletes come out and say that they’re gay, it makes it a little more normal and less of a big deal—especially in the athletic community,” he added. “You have a lot of respect for your fellow athletes for working hard toward a goal. Their sexual orientation takes a backseat to that.”