U.S. Olympic Ice Skaters Tanith Belbin and Johnny Weir Sharing Olympic Village Quarters

Olympic ice skaters Tanith Belbin, Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek all requested single rooms in the Olympic Village, but were told it was all full up but for one single room and one two-bedroom suite. The obvious conflict of paring ex-romantic couple Belbin and Lysacek, or two Olympic rivals, Weir and Lysacek, resulted in Tanith and Johnny agreeing to share quarters.

Tanith Belbin said, "...if you take Johnny and myself and Evan and do the math, the only logical answer was me and Johnny." Belbin said she's known Johnny Weir since she was a little girl and is comfortable around him. Belbin originally was to room with skaters Mirai Nagasu and Caydee Denney, but prefers a single room at competitions. When her choice came down to old friend Johnny Weir or former beau Evan Lysacek, the choice was obvious.

Johnny Weir, a flamboyant character who wears garish costumes and has been known to pose in high heels, said rooming with Belbin would be "easy" because he "...definitely couldn't room with one of the boys." Tanith said it should not be a problem as they had shared a residence in the past as teenagers when Johnny stayed with her family during a competition in Detroit. Both skaters hail from the Philadelphia area, Belbin training in Aston, and Weir hailing from the Coatesville/Quarryville area.

Johnny Weir took over decorating the suite, and Tanith Belbin was just as glad. Weir, who arrived first, said the room smelled like "wet dogs," and he promptly lit scented candles. He also hung motivational quotes and posters of Lady GaGa on the wall. Belbin had requested a Cher poster, but had to settle for Audrey Hepburn until Weir goes shopping again. And she was tickled that Johnny unpacked and put her clothes in the closet. Weir describes himself "bit of a diva" when it comes to living quarters. He has promised Belbin pink bath mats.

Figure skater Johnny Weir decided to leave for Vancouver a day earlier than planned due to the blizzards that hit the Mid-Atlantic last week. "I didn't know the blizzard was coming and the federation called and said: "Johnny maybe we should leave a day early." He said he's thanking God he arrived a day early because otherwise he would have been stuck. Tanith Belbin had a similar tale of woe, her Thursday flight being cancelled on Monday. She and her ice dancing partner Ben Agosto finally got a 6:00 flight Thursday evening, arriving in Vancouver just in time for a planned interview and the Opening Ceremonies.

Tanith Belbin almost didn't receive her skating costumes when the blizzard kept her Brooklyn seamstress from delivering them. After attempting to drive to Philadelphia Wednesday, the seamstress had to turn back. The costumes eventually arrived when a friend of the seamstress took a train to Philly, and was met by a friend of Belbin's at the station.

More Olympic Stories from this author:
Olympic Trivia
Plushenko in Lead, Lysacek on his heels after Short Program
2010 Olympic Figure Skating Schedule and List of American Skaters
China's Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo in First Place After Olympic Skating Pairs Short Program
U.S. Olympic Ice Skaters Tanith Belbin and Johnny Weir Sharing Olympic Village Quarters
The 2010 Winter Olympic Medals Design
Winter Olympians from Philadelphia Area
Philadelphia Area Olympic Ice Skaters
100,000 Condoms to be Distributed at 2010 Olympics in Vancouver
Sources: Phila. Inquirer; USAToday; NBCOlympics.com; TeamUSA.org