This lovely figure skater pursued her childhood dream and went on to win Olympic gold. She is a poised and compassionate role model.

Kristi Yamaguchi's grandparents left Japan and moved to the United States shortly before World War II. They then had to suffer the indignity of being placed in an internment camp — where Yamaguchi's mother was later born. Like many immigrants, Yamaguchi's family had one dream for Kristi: that she become successful in their adopted country.

Yamaguchi's talent grew out of a seeming disability. Born with clubbed feet and forced to wear casts during her early childhood, Yamaguchi was encouraged to begin an exercise regimen to strengthen her legs. Her mother enrolled her in dance classes. But after watching Dorothy Hamill skate in the 1976 Winter Olympics, the four-year-old Yamaguchi decided she wanted to be just like Hamill and dedicated herself to skating. "I learned to do homework in the car, get changed in the car, eat breakfast and lunch in the car," she recalls.

Yamaguchi entered her first solo competition at age seven. She then teamed up with fellow skater Rudy Galindo to compete in pairs events. In 1986, the talented duo won the Junior World Championships. Yamaguchi successfully juggled singles and pairs skating, winning medals in both categories. But in December 1989, Yamaguchi and Galindo's coach died of cancer, and Yamaguchi's grandfather passed away five days later. The young pair held it together long enough to win the U.S. Nationals. But when Yamaguchi placed second in singles, she was faced with a difficult choice: continue her partnership with Galindo or focus on her solo skating. In April 1990, she and Galindo ended their partnership. The move paid off for Yamaguchi — she won the World Championships in 1991 and the Nationals in 1992.

The highlight of Yamaguchi's career came during the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France. Heeding the advice of teammate Scott Hamilton, Yamaguchi adopted a relaxed, happy attitude toward the Games. As a result, her skating throughout the events was airy, joyous and triumphant, and she won the gold. Yamaguchi also won the heart of hockey player Bret Hedican, whom she married in Hawaii on July 8, 2000. The graceful figure skater tours with Stars on Ice and runs the Always Dream Foundation, an organization that helps underprivileged children. She plans to retire from skating in 2003.