Hamilton Figures It's Time to Leave

Copyright 2000 Bergen Record Corp.

Scott Hamilton doesn't look at it as retirement. He's merely shifting gears.

Skating's master showman knows the show must go on. As he prepares for life without his very own creation, the Stars on Ice tour, Hamilton is comfortable knowing there are other stars available to take his place.

"It will be cool, great to see the show without me,"Hamilton said Thursday as he contemplated a future away from the tour he began 15 years ago with appearances in a handful of small 1 towns. He built it into a six-month international series, but will leave the show in April.

"I can step aside and allow these really ambitious, young, talented people the opportunity to shine in their own spotlight without making room for me,"he said."This has been a phenomenal success, but to grow, it has to do so without me. The show will not be diminished with my absence. It will take on a new identity."

Hamilton's identity was established at the 1980 Olympics, when the young skater, who overcame a paralyzed intestine as a child, carried the U.S. flag in the opening ceremony.

A year later, he was the national and world champion. Hamilton won each of those titles four times, and took gold at the 1984 Olympics.

He then turned professional and, despite some early setbacks, built one of the strongest followings of any skater. He wasn't merely an athlete, but an entertainer, a comic on ice, and even a friend to those in the stands. Hamilton touched audiences in ways few figure skaters ever have.

"I feel like I was honored to be able to tour with him,"said 1998 Olympic champion Tara Lipinski."I think every skater who has ever been in contact with Scott has learned from him."

Hamilton, 42, certainly hopes that is true.

"I try not to get involved with what impact I've had,"he said, "but how I have been touched. All the great skaters I've had the privilege to skate with. .. I don't worry about what my significance has been, but I am proud of what I have accomplished so far."

Hamilton envisions putting together a theatrical production, although he isn't close to settling on a format. He also wants to remain involved in television, he's been CBS main skating announcer for 14 years.

"The only thing that grows in an inactive career is the ego," he said.

While Hamilton's far removed from the competitive aspect of figure skating, he stopped competing a bit before his 1997 battle with testicular cancer, he remains a powerful force in the show-business aspect, helping attract the likes of Lipinski and fellow 1998 Olympic champion Ilia Kulik to his tour. He simply won't be so visible any longer.

And it's time.

"It's as if I was teaching a child to ride a bike without training wheels," he said."I've been doing that for 15 years, 1 holding on even though the kid is ready to ride by himself. And now, he's saying, 'Let go. I'm almost old enough to drive."