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The figure skating competition at the 2002 Winter Olympics will likely be remembered more for its scandals than its triumphant moments. One young competitor transcended the controversy that plagued her sport, however, by simply letting her joy shine through. After a disappointing third-place finish at this year's U.S. nationals in January, 16-year-old Sarah Hughes and her coach, Robin Wagner, knew they would have to make major adjustments if Hughes was to make a showing in Salt Lake City. In the months leading up to the Games, Hughes and her routine got a full-fledged makeover. New music. New hairstyle. New outfits. And, perhaps most important, the addition of a second triple-triple combination jump to her free skate. In the end, the changes added up to a championship formula that allowed the Long Island teenager to pull off one of the biggest upsets in figure skating history. But no one, least of all Hughes, saw it coming. After the Olympic short program, Hughes found herself in fourth place, behind Michelle Kwan, Irina Slutskaya and Sasha Cohen. To have any shot at a medal, Hughes would have to put on the performance of a lifetime in the long program -- and that's exactly what she did, landing two triple-triples and completing her stellar skate with an infectious combination of amazement and delight. Both Slutskaya and Kwan had a chance to pass Hughes, but with the intense pressure came mistakes that ultimately kept either from winning the night's biggest prize. Hughes' unexpected triumph served as a reminder to a troubled sport that a motivation as pure and simple as having fun can yield enormous rewards. "I skated for pure enjoyment," Hughes said. "That's how I wanted my Olympic moment to be."
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Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
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