An Interview With Olympic Figure Skating Champion Kristi Yamaguchi
Kristi Yamaguchi won figure skating gold at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Winning the Olympics opened all sorts of doors for her. In August of 2012, shortly after the Summer Olympics ended in London, she took the time to chat with About.com's Guide to Figure Skating, Jo Ann Schneider Farris.
What advice do you have for young athletes including young Olympians and new figure skating national and international medalists? I know your life has been a whirlwind since you won the Olympics in 1992. Do today's new Olympic champions have any idea what their life could or will be like in twenty years? How can they handle all the media attention and glory?
My advice to any athlete or champion is to enjoy the moment. You may feel you have truly accomplished your dreams, but there is no guarantee of how long all the attention will last. Don't look at your Olympic medal (or any athletic or figure skating medal) as the end. Instead, make other goals real in your life. Explore other interests and focus on other things.During your competitive skating days, did you ever feel you were skating for someone other than yourself? Was there ever pressure to make other people happy? Was there ever a time that skating became a "job" and was no longer fun? Do you have suggestions to figure skaters who may be burning out?
I always have loved to skate. I don't believe there was a time that I could imagine not skating, but I suggest that when an athlete gets to a point where he or she feels he may not enjoy the time devoted to training, to try to imagine not doing the sport anymore. If you feel you could live your life without skating, it may be time to consider doing other things. Things may turn around. You may need to decide if all hard work you've put in is worth the continuous sacrifice.Do you plan to get your own children involved in competitive skating?
My lifelong friend and former pair skating partner, Rudy Galindo, is my daughter's skating coach. Emma loves Rudy and Rudy loves teaching Emma. I don't know yet if I want Emma to skate seriously or competitively. Right now it's all for fun, and as long as she enjoys it, I'm all for it.I bet your children love your children's books, correct?
Yes, my children are very proud of "Dream Big, Little Pig!" and "It's a Big World, Little Pig!". The books have been an integral part of my children's young lives. I have a passion for figure skating and have had a chance to love people all around the world because of skating. My books pass on that message and also encourage young readers to follow their dreams and to not give up.How did winning the Olympic gold medal change your life?
Winning the Olympics opened up so many doors for me. What it brought is way beyond what I would have imagined or expected. I always wanted to skate professionally, and I did. I skated with Stars on Ice for ten years. That was a dream in itself.I don't know if my life would have taken a certain path or not, but winning the Olympics gave me so much. My suggestion for any skater or athlete is to make the most of whatever your passion is!