Lifestyle

Welcome Home Gus! An Olympic Medalist in Telluride, CO

Guess what? We had a Sochi 2014 Olympic star visit a few weeks ago! Yep. Gus Kenworthy ~ Telluride, CO’s first olympic medalist came back to visit us in his (& my) hometown.

With a population of about 2,700 here in the Southwest corner of the Rockies, we might be few in number…but everything we do is BIG. Thats why brought it with this homecoming parade!

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Here in this tiny mountain town we embrace the great outdoors, we respect our mountains, our community & athletics ~ especially skiing.

Winter | Telluride, Colorado | MarlaMeridith.com

If you didn’t know Gus took home the silver medal for the inaugural Slopestyle Ski event in Sochi, Russia this year. Three american men swept the competition.

It took a lot of hard work to get to the Olympics…Gus won AFP World Championships overall titles in 2011, 2012, and 2013. In  2013, he placed second at the World Cup in Sochi, Russia. He won his first medal, a bronze, at the X Games in Tignes, France in the slopestyle event. 

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Gus wowed the kids & adults alike at his parade…

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Our volunteer firefighters escorted the crowd…

Telluride Fire Dept. | MarlaMeridith.com

As did our local cowboy Roudy

Ride with Roudy! Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

The kids had a blast on the horse drawn wagon…

Ride with Roudy! Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Ride with Roudy! Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

The littles were smitten to have such a fine athlete in their presence ~ you can tell by their faces!

My kids were talking about Gus’s visit constantly both before & after…

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Main St. Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Our community thrives in all kinds of winter sports & I’m sure Gus will forever motivate kids to grab their  dreams.

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

As a matter of fact the kids couldn’t keep their hands off him…

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

His medal…

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

And the famous Sochi Puppies!

Sochi Puppies in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi Puppies in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

He was so grateful to walk the streets in his welcome home parade, his sentiments shared in in his sweet smile & thank you speech.

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

He was adorable at the podium….he took photos of the crowd.

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

And of course a selfie!

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

If you visit us be sure to look for the street renamed Gus’s Way…

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Gus was born in the UK but came to Telluride in 2003 at just two years old. His folks are well known in our community.

Pete (Gus’s dad) is the Executive Director of my favorite Mountain Film festival (register now folks & visit us for Memorial Day weekend!) Pip, Gus’s mom owns the fabulous vintage clothing store on Colorado Ave…..Pips Consignment.

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Follow Gus on Twitter & support his sponsors Nike & Atomic Skis.

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Sochi, Russia Olympic Medalist Gus Kenworthy | Celebration Parade in Telluride, CO | MarlaMeridith.com

Related Posts

~ Marla Meridith

Join the Conversation

8 thoughts on “Welcome Home Gus! An Olympic Medalist in Telluride, CO

  1. What beautiful photos! You can really tell how much joy and excitement this brought to the entire community. Amazing, so proud of all the Olympians!

    1. Hi Louisa…yes, so proud of all these amazing folks. They are dedicated & wonderful roll models. Seeing Gus was such a treat!