Olympics Biggest Stars: Where Are They Now?
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.
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.
Plus, check out our exclusive interviews with Dorothy Hamill and Bruce Jenner.
Tags: 2010 olympics, Athletes, dorothy hamill, Figure Skaters, Gymnasts, kerri strug, mary lou retton, nancy kerrigan, olympics, tonya harding






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