To say I'm Olympic-obsessed would be an understatement. I have been glued to it for the last week and a half. Ladies' Figure Skating has always been my favorite winter Olympic event. Today's long programs will determine who makes it on to the podium and who will be crowned the newest Queen of the Ice. While we are waiting for the results to come in, let's take a trip down memory lane with my favorite Olympic figure skating moments.
Kristi Yamaguchi, Gold Medalist, Albertville 1992
In 1992 Kristi became the US's first ladies' figure skating gold medalist since 1976. Kristi retired after the '92 games and has since gotten married and become a mother. She started her own lifestyle brand, Ysu.ya, and founded Yamaguchi's Always Dream Foundation, a charity that supports early childhood literacy.
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| Kristi Yamaguchi, 2014 |
Nancy Kerrigan, Silver Medalist, Lillihammer 1994
Nancy Kerrigan was my favorite figure skating during this time period. She came back to win a silver medal at the 1994 Games just seven weeks after being clubbed at the US Nationals. It was later found that her skate rival's, Tonya Harding, then-husband orchestrated the attack. Nancy retired after the Lillihammer games, married her manager, and they now have three children. She is a an aspiring figure skating commentator and has written two books, Artisy on Ice and In My Own Words.
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| Nancy Kerrigan, 2014 |
Tara Lipinski, Gold Medalist
Michelle Kwan, Silver Medalist
Nagano 1998
Michelle Kwan is my all time favorite figure skater! The Michelle Kwan/Tara Lipinski Rivalry was the hottest news in figure skating leading up to the 1998 Olympics. Leading up the the Games Michelle and Tara had won almost every major figure skating competition, flipping flopping in the one, two spots. After the first night of competition, Michelle was in the top spot, but after a stellar long program Tara won the gold. Tara became, and still is, the youngest ladies' figure skating Olympic gold medalist and the youngest gold medalist at a winter Olympics game. Tara retired immediately after her Olympic win. She had toured professionaly since her win and works as a figure skating analyst for NBC Sports Network. Michelle remained Olympic-eligible. She official retired in 2009 with a bronze medal from the 2002 Games, five world championship wins, and nine national titles to her name. Since retiring, Michelle has earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree and worked in goverment as a State Department senior public policy advisor. She is married and her husband is currently running for Govenor of Rhode Island.
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| Tara Lipinski, 2014 |
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| Michelle Kwan, 2014 |
Sarah Hughes, Gold Medalist, Salt Lake City 2002
After finishing fourth in the short program Sarah came back to upset favorites Michelle Kwan and Irina Slutskaya to win the gold medal. With a flawless long program and mistakes from the other skaters, Sarah won the Olympics at the age of 16. Although she competed in the 2002-3003 season, Sarah retired without having won a National or World title. Post figure skating, Sarah attened Yale University and now works in New York City as a business entreprenuer. She is currently working to turn a vacant Bronx armory into the world's largest indoor skating facility, complete with academic tutors and skating instruction.
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Sarah Hughes, 2014
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Sasha Cohen, Silver Medalist, Torino 2006
Sasha was never my favorite skater. She was a coach hopper and choked a lot in competition. But when she was on, she was amazing. Sasha deserves a mention because she is the last US lady to win an Olympic figure skating medal. In 2010, after not competing for three years, Sasha attemped to a comeback hoping to make it to the Vancouver Olympics. She finished fourth at Nationals and was named to the 2010 Olympic team as the second alternate. Soon after she officially retired and toured professionally for 10 years. Sasha is now a poli-sci major at Columbia University and persues opportunities in acting and fashion.
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| Sasha Cohen, 2014 |
What are you favorite Olympic Moments?
