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One of the most recognized athletes in the world today, Kristi Yamaguchi maintains a hold on America’s heart more than a decade after winning the Olympic Gold Medal at the 1992 Albertville Olympic Winter Games. Yamaguchi was one of the first original celebrities photographed by Annie Liebovitz for the ‘Milk Mustache’ campaign and her likeability and popularity ‘Q’ rating continues to amaze advertising experts. Kristi is the motivating force behind her own Always Dream Foundation, which raises money for disadvantaged children.
Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic Gold Medalist; two-time World Champion, U.S. National Champion and a four-time World Profession Champion. She was one of the first U.S. women to compete in both pairs’ events and ladies’ singles and win pairs titles in 1989 and 1990. She and her partner, Rudy Galindo, were the 1988 World Junior Pairs Champions. Kristi also won the Junior Ladies Title that same year. Kristi also was the first American to win the Olympic Gold Medal since Dorothy Hamill in 1976. Later, as a professional, she won four titles and was honored as 1996 Skater of the Year by American Skating World. Kristi was named to the U.S. Hall of Fame by the United States Figure Skating Association and to the World Skating Hall of Fame in 1999. On December 8, 2005, Kristi was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Committee Olympic Hall of Fame. This is particularly a huge honor for Kristi.
From the fall of 1992 through 2002, Kristi enjoyed a long and successful career with Stars On Ice. She was able to tour with some of her closest friends such as Scott Hamilton, Kurt Browning and Katia Gordeeva. After a year off from touring with Stars on Ice, Kristi returned as a special guest star in limited engagements in the 2003-2004 tour.
In the fall and winter of 2002, Kristi performed in the following televised skating shows: Kodak’s Salute to Gold (NBC), Divas on Ice, (NBC) and Holiday Special with Charlotte Church (NBC). Kristi also hosted her own television special, Salute to American Music, which aired on NBC in November 2003. This was her first public appearance since the birth of her first child.
During the 2004 season, Kristi starred in various televised skating shows including: Katarina Witt and Friends, Brian Boitano’s Skating Spectacular, Holiday Celebration on Ice, Hyundai’s Tribute to the Movies on Ice and her own television special, Salute to American Music, which aired on NBC for the second year in a row. Kristi also competed in CBS’s primetime professional skating competition, Ice Wars.
In 2002, Kristi was named as the official Goodwill Ambassador for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, a role she cherishes because of her gratitude to the Olympic Games. Kristi also performed in the Opening and Closing ceremonies of these Games.
Kristi continues to star in her own television special for NBC. Kristi Yamaguchi, Friends and Family, aired on November 25, 2007 on NBC.
