Johnny Weir still fears for his safety after fur threats, stays in Olympic Village

Olympic ice skater, the fabulous Johnny Weir, has decided to stay in the Olympic Village for fear of his safety after "serious threats" from fur activists, the Associate Press reports.

Last month, Weir wore white fox fur on his costume in the free skate at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Fur activists went nuts and Weir says that both he and his costume designer received threats from animal rights groups.

He announced in early February that he would replace the fur with faux.

"I made this decision after several threats were sent to me about disrupting my performance in the Olympic Games and my costume designer, Stephanie Handler, was repeatedly sent messages of hate and disgust," said the flamboyant skater in a statement to press. "I do not want something as silly as my costume disrupting my second Olympic experience and my chance at a medal, a dream I have had since I was a kid."

Maybe the fur activists didn't appreciate their cause being called "silly," Johnny?

Despite the change, Weir feels the threats have been serious enough to forego staying in a hotel for the relative security lockdown of the Olympic Village. He's currently rooming with ice dancer Tanith Belbin.

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Photo credit: Elaine Thompson / AP