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Lipinski skates for first time since Olympics
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski dazzled spectators Wednesday in her first performance since the Nagano Games -- and since announcing she is turning pro.Lipinski was one of the 36 Olympic, world and national medal winners skating in the first stop of the Champions on Ice Tour, which will travel to 59 U.S. cities.
Most of the 10,000 fans at the Baltimore Arena seemed to enjoy the performance, but some questioned whether Lipinski, 15, made the right decision by opting to turn pro at such an early age.
"I think she's a great skater, but even though she did win a gold medal at the Olympics I think she can still learn a lot at the amateur level," said 19-year-old Aisha Goheer, a student at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Lipinski, who announced her decision on NBC's "Today" show, said she made the move to spend more time with her family. Several agents estimate that she can also earn between $13-$15 million in endorsements as an Olympic champion.
She will lose her Olympic eligibility on April 24 if, as planned, Lipinski performs at "Skate, Rattle 'n Roll," a made-for-television event in Charleston, S.C. Barring a change in the rules similar to what happened before the 1994 Olympics, she will have no chance of competing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games
Lipinski became the youngest individual gold medalist at a Winter Olympics when she won in Nagano.
Turning pro also ends her competitive rivalry with skater Michelle Kwan, the 17-year-old who won her second world title last Saturday. They met three times this season, with Kwan winning twice.
"She was really the only one who was consistently competitive with Michelle Kwan," said Goheer. "It will probably hurt Kwan a little bit, unless she paces herself."
"It's Kwan's luckiest day," said Vikki Rome of Bethesda.
Carol Gilbert, editor and publisher of Canadian Skate magazine, who supports the decision, said other skaters will fill the gap.
Gilbert, a former competitive skater, said she understands Lipinski's desire to lead a more normal life.
"Hey, she's done everything there is to do in the sport," Gilbert said. "Now it's time to go out and enjoy yourself, and have a little fun."