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Eldredge to step down from amateur skating
By Jenifer K. Nii
Deseret News Olympic specialist
His is a legacy built upon sheer determination and an unwillingness to accept limitations or excuses.
Todd Eldredge announced his retirement from amateur figure skating Wednesday, bringing to a close one of the greatest careers in the sport's history.
With six national titles, six world medals and his third Olympic experience here in Salt Lake City, the 30-year-old Eldredge said he was ready to make way for the younger guard of American skaters.
Though he didn't get the result he wanted here — finishing just off the podium in sixth place — his is a truly Olympian career. And, according to Eldredge, the rewards have been golden.
"Sure, there's a blank spot in the medals cabinet, I guess," Eldredge said. "But there's a lot of things that can fill that blank spot. Like standing in the middle of the rink here, hearing the crowd cheer."
It has been an incredible ride for Eldredge. He spent the better part of the past decade dominating the American men's skating scene, then took a few years off to gear up for this, his final Olympic competition. When he returned, he did so in fine form, winning the bronze medal at the World Championships in 2001, and a remarkable sixth national title last month in Los Angeles.
A disappointing outing in the Olympic short program last week left him out of medal contention, but not out of pride. He came back in the free skate with a fine performance — a fitting farewell.
"My Olympic career has somewhat paralleled my entire career, in that it's had its high points and its low points," he said. "To finish it here, on a high not with a good long program, was a great culmination of all the efforts I've put into skating."
But now it's time to move on, Eldredge said. He'll forgo the upcoming World Championships in Nagano and focus his energies on the future. He has agreements with Chevrolet and the U.S. Figure Skating Association to promote skating among America's youth. He'll maintain a healthy professional skating schedule. And, there's always his off-ice passion: golf.
"I look forward to spending more time on the golf course instead of the ice rink," he said. "I have a bet with (now-professional pairs skater) Todd Sand that when we turn 50, we'll try out for the Senior PGA tour."
While Eldredge looks ahead, the sport will continue to build on what he has left behind.
"I hope the legacy I've left is that even though I've had a lot of successes early on, and a lot of troubles throughout my career, I've still had a great career," Eldredge said. "I've persevered. Hopefully, I've kind of set a standard that age really doesn't make a difference. You can continue to compete at a high level as long as you have the desire and you want to go out there and achieve your goals."
E-MAIL: jnii@desnews.com
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February 21, 2002
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