It’s hard to believe that it has been 18 years since Kristi Yamaguchi won the gold at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. Since then, she has been a successful professional skater, actress, charity fundraiser and mother.
Yamaguchi came to Vancouver as an NBC Sports analyst and is leaving impressed by the host city. She is also proud of Team USA and the work she was able to do with the P&G Family Home — a place where team members and their families could spend time during the Games.
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This spring Yamaguchi will be a judge on a new reality series called “On Thin Ice” after getting some rest following a busy time in Vancouver.
How would you rate Vancouver as a host city?
Yamaguchi » I would give a perfect 10. Vancouver is the largest city ever to host an Olympic Winter Games, and the people here have been great. You have all the charm of a small European ski village combined with all wonderful sites and things to see and do that comes with a world-class city. So the entire area deserves high marks for making everyone feel so welcome and putting on such wonderful Games.
Ice dancing scored its highest ratings ever. You were part of the popular “Dancing with the Stars” program. Do you think there was any crossover audience?
Yamaguchi » You know, I think that there was an impact. I think that NBC was clever in their promotion of the event by using references to “Dancing with the Stars.” But I can tell you that this year’s competition at the Olympics was as good as I have seen in years and the top two teams — Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, the gold medal winners from Canada, and our own silver medal team of Meryl Davis and Charlie White — were outstanding.
One of your many projects in Vancouver was the “Thanks, Mom” project and the P&G Family Home. How did the project work?
Yamaguchi » It’s really a neat program. We were able to help pay some of the travel costs of the moms to get them here so they could see their kids participate in the Games. Then we were able to provide a house where everyone could come to spend time together. I think it’s invaluable to athletes to have their unconditional support system here. You have your coaches who are your cheerleaders — and your biggest critiques as well — and they are very important people, but after you compete, the first one you want to hug is your mom.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
