U.S. Figure Skater Timothy Goebel Sporting New Bronze Medal
Aired February 15, 2002 - 09:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: No controversy. U.S. figure skater, Timothy Goebel is sporting a new bronze medal this morning, taking third in the men's Olympic competition last night. He is the first American to medal in the men's figure skating since 1992, and he joins us now from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Congratulations, Timothy. How does it feel?
TIMOTHY GOEBEL, OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST: It's just awesome. It's -- I mean, it's been a dream of mine since I've been a little kid to come the Olympics and get a medal, and to be able to do in my home country is just awesome.
COOPER: A lot of people said -- in fact you said you came to Olympics just to have fun. A lot of people last night commented on how relaxed you seemed going into routine. Did that attitude help?
GOEBEL: I think that really made a big difference. Any competition is a lot of pressure. I mean you want to go out and skate well for yourself. And I just didn't want to have the pressure on myself of expecting a medal here, so I just wanted to come in and get the job done and then see what happens with the marks.
COOPER: They call you the "quad king," I understand. You are the only Olympian to hit three, or the first Olympian to hit three revolution jumps in the Games. Tell me a little bit about the move, and is this something you've been training for a long time?
GOEBEL: Yes, it's something I've been doing in competition now for three seasons, and I think just having the mileage on it, having the experience of doing it so many time under pressure has really helped me here.
COOPER: Amazing. We're just watching some of the video now. It's incredible. A lot of people also commented on the artistry that you've exhibited last night. Is that something you really focused on in this routine?
GOEBEL: It's something I've really focused on this whole season. And I feel like every competition it's gotten a little bit better. And you know, I feel that like, you know, I'm really going towards being an artist more than just a jumper, and I think this was a really good experience for me. COOPER: Just briefly, do you think any of the controversy that's been going on in the pair's competition has affected you or the other individual skaters?
GOEBEL: I don't think it's affected me personally at all. You know, I'm good friends with Jamie and Dave. And I saw them skate, but I didn't see the Russians skate, so I really don't know what's going on either.
COOPER: All right, we only have a few seconds left. Can you hold up medal for us? Let's take a look at the medal.
GOEBEL: This is the front, and the back.
COOPER: I'm told they're quite heavy.
GOEBEL: They are quite heavy, but boy, it feels light this morning.
COOPER: I'm sure it does. Thanks very much, Timothy. It was a great performance, and congratulations, a lot of hard work paid off.
Thanks very much.
GOEBEL: Thank you very much for having me.
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