In my teen years leading up to the Olympics, I loved having the excuse to skip out on parties because of skating. Partying wasnt my thing anyway. Mostly I hung out with other skaters. We were all buddies, so its not like I missed out on socializing. I was really enjoying myself.

I wouldn't say that there's ever been an Olympic champion that didn't deserve to win an Olympic Gold Medal.

In my teen years leading up to the Olympics, I loved having the excuse to skip out on parties because of skating. Partying wasnt my thing anyway. Mostly I hung out with other skaters. We were all buddies, so its not like I missed out on socializing. I was really enjoying myself.

Every time you go out on the ice, there are slight flaws. You can always think of something you should have done better. These are the things you must work on.

To be the world's best, you have to beat the world's best.

I always had the sense that nothing was never good enough - striving for perfection. My mother and I had a sort of typical mother-daughter relationship.

If you are a complete perfectionist, then the truth is that this ice skating business will drive you a little crazy!