American Sweetheart
Tara Lipinski didn't begin figure skating until she was a six-year-old, but it was a discovery which would change her life forever.
"I would say my defining moment was the Olympics," Lipinski recalls. "Looking back I would say that standing on the podium watching the American flag go up, hearing the national anthem, that was always something I dreamed about and how cool it would be and I knew that my life would change forever."
"It is one of the most gratifying feelings, to feel that you can change someone's life for the better."
Thanks to her signature maneuver, a triple loop/triple loop jump combination, Lipinski won the Olympic gold medal in figure skating at the 1998 Winter Olympics to become the youngest ladies Olympic Figure Skating Champion and the youngest individual gold medalist in Winter Olympic history, which is a record that may stand forever unless the current age rules are changed.
Lipinski also recognizes the impact she has made on other skaters. "It seems so sureal that I could have that affect on someone," Lipinski gushes. "It is one of the most gratifying feelings to feel that you can change someone's life for the better."
After winning Olympic gold at Nagano in 1998, Lipinski became a professional figure skater and toured with Champions on Ice and Stars on Ice. She also started acting and had guest appearances and cameos on several TV shows including Malcolm in the Middle, Still Standing and 7th Heaven. Lipinski is currently a commentator for Universal Sports Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
"I am not sure if I will have another defining moment for myself, but the one I had was so good I don't care."
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