Nov 1
Queer Speedster Conor McDermott-Mostowy Races Toward Olympic Glory—and a More Inclusive Ice
READ TIME: 13 MIN.
In the glittering, high-octane world of speed skating, where seconds are everything and nerves are tested against steel-edged blades, Conor McDermott-Mostowy has just carved his name into history. The 26-year-old D.C. native and proud queer athlete stunned at the U.S. Speed Skating Championships in Salt Lake City, seizing both silver and bronze—and, with them, a ticket tantalizingly close to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. For a sport often seen as the realm of the stoic and straight-laced, McDermott-Mostowy’s triumphs are a refreshing and much-needed blast of rainbow energy .
But for Conor, these medals are more than shiny hardware. They’re symbols of resilience, pride, and the ongoing revolution for LGBTQ+ visibility in arenas where “out” is still the exception, not the rule. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I ended up finishing fifth in the 1000m—my highest individual finish ever—and posted a time of 1:06.91. Only three other Americans have gone under 1:07 in that event, all of whom became world champions. That result felt like a turning point, showing me that an Olympic or World Championship medal wasn’t just a dream—it was within reach,” Conor told Los Angeles Blade, reflecting on a career-defining moment .
McDermott-Mostowy’s journey hasn’t been all smooth gliding. Just a few years ago, a well-timed (read: terribly timed) norovirus infection forced him to withdraw from the 2022 Olympic trials—a gut punch for any athlete, let alone one with Olympic dreams in clear sight. Instead of letting disappointment chill his ambitions, Conor doubled down, training harder, sharpening his focus, and, crucially, staying true to his identity every step of the way .
His tenacity paid off. Over the past seasons, Conor has racked up personal bests at World Cup events, including a blistering 1000m in Salt Lake City that placed him in elite American company . His recent U.S. Championships haul is the latest proof: queer athletes don’t just belong on the ice—they can dominate it.
n a sport where LGBTQ+ athletes are still few and far between, Conor’s out-and-proud presence is as impactful as his speed. He’s not just chasing medals; he’s breaking barriers, proving that sporting greatness and queer authenticity go hand in hand. “With blistering speed on the ice and a steadfast commitment to equity in sports, Conor is doing so much more than winning medals—he’s redefining what it means to represent one’s country while representing one’s community,” notes Los Angeles Blade .
Conor’s visibility matters. Despite progress, the world of elite athletics remains a tough stage for queer competitors, who often face coded silence, offhanded dismissals, or outright exclusion. Each stride Conor takes—whether it’s a record-breaking lap or a candid interview—sends a signal to LGBTQ+ youth: you belong here, and your dreams are valid.
His advocacy doesn’t stop at the finish line. McDermott-Mostowy is set to appear at the Nike Training Studio in West Hollywood, joining Out Athlete Fund and Pride House LA to rally support for out athletes chasing their Olympic dreams . These events aren’t just meet-and-greets—they’re rallying cries for a more inclusive future in sports.
Beyond the medals and milestones, Conor’s story is about queer joy—about the pure, unapologetic delight of skating fast, dreaming big, and refusing to shrink yourself for anyone. His favorite skating memory? Not a world record or a podium finish, but an outdoor rink in Helsinki, Finland. “The sunsets made the sky light pink and purple when we were skating in the evening,” he reminisces, a vignette as poetic as it is powerful .
For LGBTQ+ fans, Conor’s journey is both a celebration and a challenge: a celebration of how far we’ve come in claiming our space in sports, and a rallying cry to keep pushing for more—more representation, more equity, more moments where queer athletes can shine without compromise.
As the countdown to Milan 2026 begins, all eyes—and hearts—are on Conor. Whether he’s racing for gold or galvanizing a new generation, he is, in every sense, skating toward something bigger than himself: a world where every queer kid knows that the ice, the podium, and the future are wide open.
