Johnny Weir to
skate as Jesus

Flamboyant figure skater Johnny Weir will act out Jesus Christ's life when he performs his long program Saturday at the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Wash.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Weir will free skate to "Child of Nazareth" by Maxime Rodriguez, while acting out various aspects of Christ's life--and death.

"In no way am I portraying the actual entity of Jesus," Weir told the Inquirer. "I'm just performing the story of his life. It's an interesting concept, an interesting idea to push myself forward and make myself better. It has nothing to do with anything else."

The Pennsylvania native's main opponent is seen as skater Evan Lysacek, who finished second to Weir at the 2006 Olympics. (The Advocate)