Scott Hamilton

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/18762235@N00/

Scott Hamilton is an Olympic gold medalist and cancer survivor. After a 5 year break from skating after battling a brain tumor and testicular cancer, Scott Hamilton is back on the ice.

I remember watching Scott Hamilton back in the 1984 Olympics where he won the gold medal. Not only was he graceful and strong and just a great athlete, he has a smile that warms a room. It is obvious that Scott Hamilton is a good person, not caught up in all the hype and glory of being famous. Maybe it has something to do with the way he was raised.

Scott was born in Toledo, Ohio and was adopted by his parents. At 2 years of age, Scott became sick with an illness that the doctors couldn't understand but that made him stop growing. He was misdiagnosed with many different things, including telling his parents he had just 6 months to live and another diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

It is now said he had Shwachman-Diamond syndrome but he still only grew to the grand total he is now of 5 feet, 2 ½ inches. When he was 13, he began training in skating with a former Olympic champion but his parents struggles with the high cost of his training and almost made him quit.

A couple stepped in at that point and could see the future of this bright young skater and paid for his training. Scott Hamilton is very medaled, including taking 3rd in the 1980 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. He came in 5th at the 1980 Winter Olympics. In the 1981 U.S. Championships, he performed a perfect program and never again lost a competition.

Hamilton won the 1981, 1982 and 1983 golds in the World Figure Skating Championships. Then came the 1984 Winter Olympics where he won the gold medal. He won the 1984 World Championships then became a pro, that same year. Hamilton founded Stars on Ice with the Ice Capades and toured with them for 15 years, retiring in 2001.

In 1990, Hamilton was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame. My family has seen Scott Hamilton in the show The Fairly OddParents when they had an Olympic special. Scott Hamilton has had success after success in his life.

Then in 1997, he got testicular cancer. He made a recovery and has been featured on TV shows and magazines for his great recovery and attitude. Then in 2004, Scott Hamilton was diagnosed with and treated for a brain tumor. Scott Hamilton is ranked as one of the top 8 most popular Athletes in the U.S. Scott is married and has 2 sons. We're glad to have Scott back skating for us.