Weir Competes in Short Program Tonight

Figure skater Johnny Weir is scheduled to compete in the Men's Short Program Tuesday evening at the Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Weir joins fellow Olympic hopefuls from the United States Jeremy Abbott and 2009 world champion Evan Lysacek. According to NBC, whenever an American enters the Olympics as the world champion in figure skating, he typically wins the gold medal, as was the case with Brian Boitano and Scott Hamilton.

Weir's talent has been slightly overshadowed lately by criticism from animal rights activists calling for him to stop using fur in his costumes. At the national championships in January, Weir had worn one costume with a tuft of fox fur on the shoulder. He has since told  The Advocate that he plans to replace it with fake fur if he decides to wear the same costume.