26 Facts About Rudy Galindo

Val Joe "Rudy" Galindo was born on September 7,1969 and is an American former competitive figure skater who competed in both single skating and pair skating.

Rudy Galindo is the first openly gay skating champion in the United States, though US, World and Olympic champion Brian Boitano came out long after his career was over.

Rudy Galindo was paired with Kristi Yamaguchi by his coach, Jim Hulick.

Rudy Galindo's father died of a heart attack in 1993, and his brother, George, died from AIDS in 1994.

Rudy Galindo took eight months off after the 1995 US Championships.

Rudy Galindo stated that the American judges scored his programs lower because they disliked his "unmasculine, balletic-style of skating".

Rudy Galindo was the only male skater, other than his competitors Todd Eldredge and Scott Davis, who were practicing the triple Axel-triple toe loop combination jump, one of the most difficult jump combinations in competitive figure skating at the time.

Rudy Galindo decided to take advantage of this opportunity to compete in front of his mother, who no longer traveled, and his hometown.

Rudy Galindo resumed training in September 1995, with his sister Laura as his coach.

Rudy Galindo was the oldest male to win this title in 70 years.

Brennan stated that Rudy Galindo deserved the title and should have earned more points in his short program, citing it "as further evidence of the arbitrary and political nature of figure skating judging".

Rudy Galindo went on to win a bronze medal at the 1996 World Championships.

Rudy Galindo performed to Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky for his free skate program, and Franz Biebl's Ave Maria for his exhibition program.

Rudy Galindo retired from eligible competition in the summer of 1996 and toured with Tom Collins' Champions on Ice.

Rudy Galindo underwent hip replacement surgery in August 2003 after finishing the season's tour with a broken femur on his left side.

Rudy Galindo was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Rudy Galindo was elected to the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame in December 2012.

Rudy Galindo is the third child of Jess and Margaret Rudy Galindo.

Rudy Galindo had a brother, George, who was ten years older and who later died of AIDS.

Rudy Galindo is of Mexican descent through his grandparents on his father's side.

Rudy Galindo is the first openly gay skating champion in the US His autobiography Icebreaker, co-written with Eric Marcus, was published in 1997.

In 1996, after winning the bronze medal at the Worlds Championships, Rudy Galindo served as Grand Marshall at a gay pride parade in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was the starter for a gay pride race in New York City, and appeared on the cover of Out magazine.

Kestnbaum states, about Rudy Galindo: "[He] proved that the American public could embrace a gay skater as a national sports hero".

Kestnbaum reports that other skaters were inspired by Rudy Galindo, especially Doug Mattis, who had competed at the US Nationals and was a professional figure skater.

Rudy Galindo was very close to his family, especially his father, who made many financial sacrifices to help his son's career.

Rudy Galindo acted as his coach during the 1996 championship season.