Scott Hamilton: From Olympic Gold Medalist to Finding Jesus 

Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medalist and figure skating commentator, revealed his faith journey in a featured video on the “I Am Second” website.

In his video testimony, the ex-skater shares a challenging journey that commenced in his early years. He grappled with an unknown ailment back then, hindering his growth.

He recounted his experience of constantly being in and out of hospitals for several years, never truly feeling at home.

After numerous hospital visits, he coincidentally found himself at “the skating club thing.” That’s when he discovered skating, a passion that evolved rapidly.

From that moment onwards, he encountered numerous additional tragedies, including the loss of his mother in her battle against cancer.

That devastation stirred something within him, and he realized he needed something more.

Years later, Hamilton went on to win 16 consecutive national and world championships starting in 1981.

He won a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics and was inducted into the U.S. Olympics and World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

Hamilton explained, “I don’t think anyone’s truly equipped to go out in front of 1 billion, 2 billion, 3 billion people on an Olympic stage, and you’re scared of your mind on a 200 by 100 surface of ice.”

“But I found a way to be just good enough to win the gold medal. The more I look back on it, I think that’s been unbelievably awesome,” he added.

Triumph Over Adversity and Faith Beyond Measure

In 1997, Scott Hamilton reached the pinnacle of his career; however, this success was abruptly halted by a battle with testicular cancer.

Consequently, this life-altering moment challenged the core of his existence. For Hamilton, survival meant wrestling with purpose and questioning what lay ahead.

Amidst turmoil, he met Tracie, his future wife, introducing him to the church and Minister Ken Durham.

This encounter marked the genesis of his spiritual awakening. Their union led to the joy of a son, but another trial loomed as a brain tumor was discovered.

Tracie’s heartfelt prayer during this adversity became a defining, decisive moment for Hamilton, cementing his faith in God. Born with a brain tumor hindering growth, Hamilton saw it as a mysterious yet pivotal force propelling him into skating.

The tumor was removed, but it resurfaced later, sparking doubts about survival and having more children for Hamilton after six years. Against the odds, a ‘miracle’ named Max arrived.

Reflecting on these challenges, Hamilton acknowledged the strength derived from a profound relationship with Jesus. Through trials, Hamilton discovered that God is a constant guide, present in every difficult moment.

He realized that God was always there to reinforce his unshakeable faith and determination to endure life’s tribulations. In retrospect, he said, “I understand that through a strong relationship with Jesus, you can endure anything.

“I just learned that the only true disability in life is a bad attitude.” He concluded, “God is there to guide you through the tough spots. God was there every single time, every single time.”