Even when he was 12, Adam Rippon was eliciting bold predictions from reporters.

It was then, in 2002, that local 28 WBRE weatherman Kirk Clyatt connected with local up-and-coming Pennsylvania boy Adam Rippon for a figure skating lesson in celebration of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Clyatt was a good sport, seemingly knowing full well what he was getting into.

Even at that age you can see an ease and grace about Rippon’s presence on the ice, something that would eventually lead him to a National Championship, a spot on Team USA, and an Olympic Bronze medal.

Clyatt’s prediction for Rippon’s place in Olympic history is obviously a source of pride for the journalist:

A prediction made 16 years in advance … Adam was amazing in 2002, even MORE so in 2018! @Adaripp #AdamRippon #PyeongChang2018 #Olympics #LGBT

Years later, Rippon would try to teach YouTuber Tyler Oakley how to skate, with much better results.

Rippon will skate in the men’s individual Thursday and Friday nights (Eastern Time).

You can find complete Winter Olympics 2018 coverage on SB Nation, and Outsports will have the LGBT angle.

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