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Olympics Biggest Stars: Where Are They Now?

by Erin Donnelly (Subscribe to Erin Donnelly's posts)
Posted Feb 11th 2010 at 12:39PM  
31 Comments
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From wicked snowboarding swerves to sparkly sequined (but not fur) figure skating costumes, the 2010 Winter Olympics, which kick off in Vancouver tomorrow (Feb. 12), will have plenty to offer.

But let's not forget the athletic superstars who hurdled, triple axeled and dismounted their way into our hearts.

See what some of the most memorable female Olympians are up to these days -- aside from polishing their medals, of course -- while reminiscing about the feats, those costumes and -- yikes -- that hair.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=832215&pid=832214&uts=1265926845
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Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?
We take a trip down memory lane to see what past Olympians are up to these days -- besides polishing their gold medals, of course -- while reminiscing about those feats, those costumes and -- yikes -- that hair.
Mike Powell/Ben Hider, Getty Images

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

The subject of the best TV movie ever (1984's "Nadia"), Romanian Nadia Comanenci inspired millions with her seven perfect 10s and three gold medals (plus a silver and bronze for good measure) at the 1976 Olympics. The first gymnast to score a perfect 10, the Communist cutie went on to win four more medals at the 1980 Olympics. In the process she made a gymnastics love match, marrying gymnast Bart Conner in 1996. The couple have a young son and keep busy with speaking engagements, endorsements, charity work and the odd reality TV appearance, including 1998's "Celebrity Apprentice."

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

The pint-sized gymnast with the pixie cut stole America's heart when she nabbed the All Around gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win gold in gymnastics. Retton picked up another four medals (the biggest haul of any athlete that year), was named "Sportswoman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated, became the first female athlete on a Wheaties box, and -- most awesomely of all -- had a guest cameo in "Scrooged." These days, the 42-year-old mother of four lives in West Virginia and remains active with various charity and spokesperson duties.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

Arguably the most successful female figure skater of the '80s, Katarina Witt scored two gold medals for East Germany at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics in between winning four world championships. The skater, who reportedly once worked for the Stasi, has the distinction of inspiring new regulations enforcing modest costumes thanks to her sexy and avant garde style. Subsequent years saw Witt tour with men's figure skater Brian Boitano, took up acting, posed for Playboy, wrote a novel and hosted a TV show in Germany. The 44-year-old now works as a commentator in Germany.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

Always a bridesmaid but never a bride, France's Surya Bonaly never managed to win a figure skating medal in her three Olympic appearances, though she came close with a fourth-place finish in 1994. But who cares about bling when the girl is reportedly the only skater in the world able to complete a quadruple toe loop jump AND do a backflip and then land on one skate? The skater -- who wore costumes designed by Christian Lacroix -- ruffled feathers when she appeared ungrateful for her silver medal at the 1994 World Figure Skating Championships. Now, the 36-year-old lives in Las Vegas, campaigns for PETA and performs in ice skating tours.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

Winning silver in 1998 and bronze in 2002, figure skater Michelle Kwan leapt to attention in 1994 when the then-13-year-old was demoted to an Olympics alternate despite placing second (behind one Tonya Harding) at the 1994 U.S. Championships; her spot went to the injured Nancy Kerrigan. Kwan eventually racked up nine U.S. championships and five world championships, becoming the most decorated figure skater in history. Now 29, Kwan -- known for her stylish costumes -- is busy with graduate school while serving as a public diplomacy ambassador for the U.S.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

A member of 1996's "Magnificent Seven," Dominique Dawes took home three medals in Atlanta (plus a bronze in the '92 Barcelona games) and is the first African-American female gymnast to win an individual medal. Post-retirement, the 33-year-old Dawes has starred on Broadway in "Grease," appeared in music videos and served as an Olympics commentator, and now offers motivational coaching, gymnastics instruction and speaking engagements.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

A bum ankle and Bela Karolyi's arms helped perky pixie Keri Strug land the title of America's Sweetheart (not mention a gold medal) at the 1996 Olympics. The 32-year-old now works for the Justice Department and has various TV, commercial and commentating gigs under her belt.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

Tara Lipinski became the youngest individual gold medalist when she took gold at the age of 15 at the '98 Winter Games. After going pro in 1998, the former Limited Too model perfomed in Stars on Ice for a few years. The 27-year-old now balances philanthropic work with figure skating commentator gigs with IceNetwork.com and LATimes.com.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

In 1994, a 16-year-old Ukrainian figure skater with a fondness for pink fur and big bangs stole the show from Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding when she won gold in Lillehammer. A pro career, TV movie and two books followed, and now the 32-year-old platinum blonde juggles touring with charity work and her own fashion line, the Oksana Baiul Collection.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?

The victim of a knee bashing orchestrated by Tonya Harding's husband Jeff Gillooly, Nancy Kerrigan went on to win silver in the '94 Winter Games and host "Saturday Night Live." Kerrigan, who also won a bronze medal in '92, was also known for her chic costumes designed by Vera Wang, a former figure skater herself. The 40-year-old mother of three performs in ice shows, but has been dealt yet another tragic blow with the homicide death of her father last month after a scuffle with her brother.

Olympic Stars -- Where Are They Now?



Plus, check out our exclusive interviews with Dorothy Hamill and Bruce Jenner.
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Filed under: Celebrity, News, Celebrity Style
Tags: 2010 olympics, Athletes, dorothy hamill, Figure Skaters, Gymnasts, kerri strug, mary lou retton, nancy kerrigan, olympics, tonya harding
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READER COMMENTS

(31)Add A Comment

tom, 2-12-2010, 7:44AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
tom

If this is the comments regarding Oksana, then please realise that we all age, unless,of course, we've died...Not a single person looks as "pretty" as we were when we were 19... this seeming trend of mocking people that had some fame when they were "young" and then had the temerity to keep living after thier "15 minutes" is , to me, sick and sad.. if "you Youngsters" are so threatend by folks who had/have talent before you were born then you show your insecurity by your mocking.

Reply »

bess marvin, 2-12-2010, 10:16AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
bess marvin

i loved her as a little girl. i think she is courageous. i can't find any information about her here. just the photo. and she is stilil very pretty and looks like a woman from ukraine, which is as it should be. she lost so much before she ever went to the olympics.

»

:), 2-12-2010, 10:56AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
:)

and you show your insecurity by addressing those people tom.Let it go

»

flamingo137, 2-12-2010, 12:04PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
flamingo137

Huh? Maybe i read something else into that... didn't seem that way.

»

Hattie Crabtree, 2-12-2010, 8:19AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Hattie Crabtree

That later pix isn't Picabo Street unless its one of her long time ago.I saw her on TV recently touting some birth control implant as she now has 3 cute little boys.

Reply »

keina b, 2-12-2010, 12:48PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
keina b

I agree. That is not Picabo Street.

»

allie, 2-12-2010, 9:07AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
allie

I have always looked up to Nancy and Oksana. I am happy to see them now and what they have become with their lives. It doesn't matter what they look like, but they left a figure skating legacy for the world to view. It's not everyday a 16, even 15 year old girl wins the gold medal at the Olympics!!

Reply »

Artur, 2-12-2010, 9:41AM

1 star vote downvote upReport
Artur

Oksana Baiul is the first olympian to win gold medal for Ukraine (apart of USSR) Suck it Russia

Reply »

LESSIE CLAYBORNE, 2-12-2010, 9:50AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
LESSIE CLAYBORNE

WHERE IS DEBBIE THOMAS!!!!!!!!!!

Reply »

D., 2-12-2010, 10:17AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
D.

Debbie didn't win gold!

»

jackie2850, 2-12-2010, 10:43AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
jackie2850

I always thought the outcome of that Olympics hurt two people's lives. Oksana was not prepared for fame that came with the gold. In a way it ruined, or at least was a determent, to Oksana's life. It was Nancy Kerrigan's year to win. It was a testament to her talent and strength to come back from the clubbing by Tonya Harding. Nancy looked beautiful in gold. Her routine was beautiful. But, she did a double instead of a triple (if memory serves). Oksana came out like a young pet doing triples. She was more athletic, but not as beautiful in her routine. Her routine won the gold, but it hurt her life; and Nancy's life.

Reply »

Jaye, 2-12-2010, 11:11AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jaye

I am a die heart skating fan. Have been watching since, Wide World of Sports in the 70's. If I remember correctly, Nancy and Oksana both had the same scores for that Olympics. Oksana's was in artistic and Nancy was technical. In those days, artistic won over technical. Of course that has change. That was Nancy's year to get the gold medal.

»

Margaret, 2-12-2010, 10:46AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Margaret

Wasn't Oksana a meth head? Yeah, that's courageous!

Reply »

muchodeco, 2-12-2010, 11:22AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
muchodeco

Margaret, I think you are confusing her with Nicole Bobek. Oksana lost her mother at age 13, had no other living relatives, trained with limited funding in an impoverished country. She still competed in the Olympics and won at such a young age, even after sustaining an injury. Yes, a lot of people found that courageous. She does a lot of charity work now too.

»

Gregory Antwone Alexander, 2-12-2010, 11:13AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Gregory Antwone Alexander

I can remember as a little boy when i was just starting ice skating back in 1994 at age 8 "Oksana Baiul" among The other skaters suck as "kristi yamaguchi","todd eldredge", "scott hamilton" and many many more i looked up too.

Reply »

sugadinga, 2-12-2010, 10:53AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
sugadinga

Love this woman's name...oxana bayul.....sounds cool....for some reason...she came a long way....

Reply »

Art, 2-12-2010, 11:32AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Art

Erin, so what's wrong with "that Hair"? Some like a little style instead of a plastered down look. And BTW, it's called a pompadour, not bangs.

And Leslie, Debbie is, and wound up exactly where she should be....A loser with a rotten attitude! "..anybody want this (bronze) medal?"

Reply »

a, 2-12-2010, 12:17PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
a

Debbie also went on medical school and became a doctor!

»

jem, 2-12-2010, 11:16AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
jem

Seeing her do "The Swan" touched my heart then, and even now. Such grace! Then and now, I think she is amazing, and a survivor. We all make mistakes and have our flaws. It's not about how many times we fall down, it's about how many times we get back up. I'm proud of her.

Reply »

GREEN_PROMOS, 2-12-2010, 11:22AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
GREEN_PROMOS

"Communist cute," huh? Real classy. What's next, douchebag Democrat? That is rude and disrepectful. Nadia wasn't even old enoughj to know what a Communist really was when she won. Communism in America is derogatory, and as such calling someone a Communist is derogatory - in America. Don't be rude and insensitive.

Reply »

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