Yeah, I am a little bit, and I think it is a natural progression of the sport, of going upwards in technical ability and everything like that.

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

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.

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

Sasha gets a raw deal from the press. She makes one mistake in her program and people rip her for not pulling it off when it counts. But she never falls apart. She never just completely folds and misses everything. Usually it's just one mistake.

I have to consider my greatest accomplishments winning the Olympics because everything that Ive done after that is really because of the Olympics.

As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations.