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Thursday, April 16, 2015
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Olympic Champion Skates with Fans at Empire State Plaza
By Emily DeFeciani
www.twcnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2015/02/20/olympic-champion-skates-with-fans-at-empire-state-plaza.html
It's not every day you get to skate with an Olympic athlete, but Friday, dozens joined a two-time gold medalist on the ice in Albany. Emily DeFeciani has more.
ALBANY, N.Y. -- "Freezing! But it's worth it. This is a once in a life time opportunity so we can bare it for a while," said Wynantskill resident Colleen Denio.
It takes serious devotion to brave single digit temperatures, but for skating fans, a chance to share the ice with an Olympic champion is worth it.
"I remember watching her as a child with her husband and then later on when she started doing singles. I think she's amazing," said Denio.
"I grew up skating and competing and Ekaterina Gordeeva has always been a celebrity that I've always wanted to meet," said Wynantskill resident Maria Dollard.
In 1988 and 1994, Ekaterina Gordeeva took home the gold for Russia. The four-time pair skating world champ says for her, figure skating is more than a sport, it's a lifelong passion.
"I've been skating for 40 years already and I still love it and every time it's something new, new experience, new people and I can show my talent so it's fun."
Friday, the Moscow native journeyed to Albany to perform for fans at the Empire State Plaza before inviting them to join her.
"I have met other skaters but she is one that has eluded me for many years and I just have always admired her all my life and never had the opportunity to meet her before," said Dollard.
Denio added, "My kids love to skate and they wanted to see a professional skater. When they see a professional, they have someone they want to aspire to be like,"
"It's great. I'm glad if I can inspire someone to become a skater or even to go and try or even just one day, it's fun," Gordeeva said.