Plus the public's attention span is so short right now, if a skater doesn't strike while the iron is hot... well it's not like people will forget you, but they just won't care anymore.

The Olympics are great for notoriety right off the bat, but your body of work is what people remember you for.

First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance.

The U.S. Olympic spirit award is an award that is given to an athlete who embodies the Olympic spirit in more ways than just on the playing field, in showing incredible perseverance, in overcoming obstacles, and what we wanted to do is have everybody can vote on-line.

That's what amateur skating is about, technical expertise, and it should always stay that way.

When a skater steps on the ice to compete, the nerves, the tension, and sheer suspense of that moment make for great drama.

Kids don't know the language of figure skating. If you ask them to do a compulsory figure, they don't know how to, and that's so important for the edge quality. I think that's why the older skaters are still as popular as they are - because they have that quality that people are missing in this generation.