Sarah Hughes Article in Washington Post

[Mazurka Girl]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25710-2002Oct14.html

[KBW]

Thanks for the heads up!

I notice that they list, amongst many other things, that she has taken the SATs. I wonder whether the accomplished her goal or not.

[Yazmeen]

Excellent article--I thought one part was especially well stated:

(Quote) "But there are no disclaimers attached to gold medals. For the next four years, she will be introduced repeatedly as the reigning Olympic champion -- not the surprising overachiever who stunned millions of viewers. It is a heavy title that has been both an honor and burden for many athletes.

But Hughes seems instinctively to view the medal as a means of transportation more than a permanent label. It did not redefine her as much as it pushed her life forward. The way she sees it, when she won the gold, she became not so much the world's best skater but rather the lucky girl suddenly given access to the coolest opportunities -- and a lot of them." (Endquote)

This is why I like Sarah Hughes!!! Her head is definitely together and in the right place. As for the SAT, I'm not surprised it was never announced when she was going to take it. Could you imagine showing up for your SAT and having reporters there trying to make a "moment" out of it? I'm glad she was able to do it anonymously. I just hope she isn't stretching herself too thin--the article suggests she might be overdoing it a bit.

Good Luck Sarah--you go, girl!!!

8)

[Blue Ridge]

wow, it's hard to imagine how she is going to be ready for Skate America, but I guess if anyone can do it, Sarah can! :D

[CMc]

I'm sure she did better than me on the SAT's even if she didn't reach 1500.;)
Bully for you, Sarah!

[JDC1]

I do like her!! Her parents have done a fabulous job. She's intelligent and level headed. She doesn't have to really be fab at Skate America, unless Fumie and/or Jenny Kirk come out with a clean 7 triple LP Sarah should win this competition.

[AxelAnnie22]

Thanks for the link to the article. She sounds exhausted. She will be the first OLY Gold Medalist to return to eligible competition in a very long time. It will be interesting to see how she balances it all. As Michelle's father said, when Michelle wanted to go to school full time, live at the dorms, and continue to skate, skating would take a hit. As long as Michelle knew that that was a part of what she was choosing, no problem. She should do what she wanted.

Same to Sarah. There are so many wonderful opportunities open to her as OLY Champ. Something has to give somewhere. It is not bad, just a fact of life. More power to Sarah if she can do so many different things, and not be bothered by being less prepared than in years past.

[spiralsrfun]

AxelAnnie22
ITA

[Blue Ridge]

Originally posted by JDC1
I do like her!! Her parents have done a fabulous job. She's intelligent and level headed. She doesn't have to really be fab at Skate America, unless Fumie and/or Jenny Kirk come out with a clean 7 triple LP Sarah should win this competition.

And don't forget about Ann Patrice!

[donnamarie]

Yes don't forget about Ann Patrice - certainly a contender now 8)

I live in the D.C. area (sniper land) and I chanced upon this article today - what a treat! There are 3 pictures of Sarah also. What I found really encouraging is that Sarah doesn't feel any extra pressure because she is "Olympic Champion." I don't think the title has gone to her head, and that's a good thing. Like she says, the pressure was last year, not this year. Others may try to put pressure on her this year with their expectations, but as long as she doesn't internalize it, she'll be fine. Good for her, she's obviously got her priorities straight. And yeah, Skate America is coming up fast, but she doesn't have to be at the very top of her game either, so here's hoping she does great.