Skating was the vessel into which I could pour my heart and soul

In 1968, in the midst of the tumultuous 1960s, the Olympics were much more than just another event

As a young child, I played the violin. I think that that started the spark

I really loved what the guys were doing more than anything, how high they jumped, how effortless it was.

Skating was the vessel into which I could pour my heart and soul

We Wanted to be Achievers, But Being an Achievers didn't Mean That You Stopped Being a Woman.

When the going got tough, I really had to draw on many of the same competitive instincts I did when I was skating. I really had to put my head down and stay positive. I had to fight.