I've got nothing against Johnny Weir as a person or an athlete. Lately, however, he's been talking as though his place on the US Olympic figure-skating team is guaranteed. It's not as simple as that.
The USFSA, not the USOC, determines placement on the team, and their "gold standard" is results at the current US National Championships.
They have, on rare occasions, made exceptions for medalists at the previous season's US and/or World Championships. And they have been known to bypass people (*coughNicoleBobekcough *) whose medals were from more than one season ago.
Since the 2009-2010 season (during which his results were, at best, disappointing), Johnny Weir has not competed at US Nationals or Worlds, has withdrawn from two Grand Prix events, and has eked out one fourth place at a minor (non-Grand Prix) international.
So if he's really serious about getting to the Olympic Games again, how is he going to manage it?
The only guaranteed route is to compete and take 4th place or better at the appropriate Sectionals (which in his case is Eastern - to be held in Ashburn, VA in November 2013). That will automatically get him back to US Nationals.
The US only qualified for two Olympic men's slots at the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships (in fact, the US only qualified for three entrants in Ice Dance). So if Johnny gets to US Nationals, he needs to place second or better.
Can he get back to Nationals without going through Sectionals?
The USFSA accepts medalists at the previous Olympics - but Johnny didn't medal (he placed a disappointing sixth).
They accept medalists from the previous World Championships - but Johnny didn't compete.
They accept placement in the top five at the previous US Nationals - but Johnny didn't compete.
They accept getting to the current season's Grand Prix Finals - but although Johnny is still in the assignment pool, he has not been named to any of this season's Grand Prix events. (There are now "minimum score" rules for selection, and he hasn't made the minimum.)
They also allow for "international byes" in the event of assignment to a Grand Prix event that is in conflict with a Sectional competition - but Johnny has no such assignment.
So, basically, if he wants to wave the rainbow flag in Putin's face at Sochi, pretty much his only choice is to suck it up, place fourth or better (preferably win) at Eastern Sectionals, then take first or second place at US Nationals.
I'll be rooting for him to do just that.