Tara Lipinski becomes youngest Olympic figure skating gold medalist
On February 20 1998 15-year-old Tara Lipinski wins the gold medal in womens figure skating at the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano Japan and becomes the youngest gold medalist in her sport.Lipinski donned her first pair of skates at age six.In 1994 at age 12 she won a gold medal at the U.S.Olympic Festival a junior-level competition.
In 1997 Lipinski then 14 took first place at both the national and world figure skating championships beating out her American rival and perennial fan favorite Michelle Kwan.Lipinski was the youngest person ever to take home either title.At the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano Lipinski and teammate Michelle Kwan were both considered favorites for the gold medal.
Earlier that season the diminutive Lipinski known for her energetic jumps had been defeated twice in competition by Kwan who was considered the more artistic skater of the two.Both Kwan and Lipinski turned in strong performances however Lipinskis program was considered more technically difficult and she was awarded the gold medal.Kwan took home the silver medal and Chinas Chen Lu won the bronze.
Lipinski then 15 was the youngest person in figure skating history to capture Olympic gold.(At the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer Norway 16-year-old Oksana Baiul from Ukraine won the gold in womens figure skating.)In April 1998 Lipinski announced she was turning professional.She went on to perform in skating shows such as Stars on Ice and also pursued an acting career.
In 2006 she was inducted into the U.S.Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
