Gay Paralympic skier Jake Adicoff aims for 4 gold medals

Adicoff, a four-time Paralympic medalist, is confident he can achieve his lofty goal in Milan

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Jake Adicoff, an out para cross-country skier from the U.S., is setting his sights on winning four gold medals at the upcoming 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan. Adicoff, a four-time Paralympic medalist who won his first gold in 2022, has been one of the most dominant competitors on the FIS World Cup circuit over the last three years. He says building his confidence and belief in himself has been key to his development since the 2022 Beijing Games.

Why it matters

Adicoff's pursuit of four gold medals at the Paralympics represents the culmination of his hard work and growth as an athlete. As one of the few openly gay Paralympians, his success also serves as an important example for LGBTQ athletes and parathletes, showcasing that high levels of achievement are possible as an out competitor.

The details

Adicoff, who has been visually impaired since birth, is sponsored by the Out Athlete Fund and has reached the podium at FIS World Cup events 20 times since 2023, including 15 first-place finishes. He ranked No. 1 among vision-impaired skiers on the FIS points list since March 17, 2024. Adicoff says the camaraderie and support of his training partners, including guides Reid Goble and Peter Wolter, have been key to his motivation and success.

  • Adicoff won his first Paralympic gold medal in 2022 in Beijing.
  • Adicoff has been the No. 1 ranked vision-impaired skier on the FIS points list since March 17, 2024.

The players

Jake Adicoff

An out para cross-country skier from the U.S. who is a four-time Paralympic medalist, including winning gold in 2022, and one of the most dominant competitors on the FIS World Cup circuit over the last three years.

Reid Goble

One of Adicoff's guides.

Peter Wolter

One of Adicoff's guides.

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What they’re saying

“This is pretty much the same goal that I had for 2022 in China, but I don't think I fully believed I was gainful of that in Beijing. I think that, over the past four years, the biggest thing I've had to work on is confidence and believing in the training and effort I've put behind all of this.”

— Jake Adicoff (Outsports)

“Me at age 14 wouldn't have imagined myself in either of these situations. If I can change that mindset for one other 14-year-old growing up who's having that similar experience, not knowing where sport can take them and not understanding the impact that it can have on your life, then that's a success.”

— Jake Adicoff (Outsports)

What’s next

Adicoff will compete in four Paralympic events in Milan, where he hopes to win four gold medals.

The takeaway

Adicoff's pursuit of four gold medals at the Paralympics represents the culmination of his hard work, growth as an athlete, and newfound confidence. As one of the few openly gay Paralympians, his success serves as an important example for LGBTQ athletes and parathletes, showing that high levels of achievement are possible as an out competitor.