Nicole Bobek was an extraordinary talent in figure skating. That fairy tale has come to a screeching halt with news of her arrest in a New Jersey meth-distribution ring. It makes me frustrated to think about how a) role models let our kids down and b) what is it about sudden success in youth contributes to the downfall of these talented people? I am not saying she is not culpable, but I think the system of a meteoric rise to fame, then retirement while still young and trying to chase after the 14-year-olds, comes with a price to hard to pay.
I think about, natch, Tonya Harding when I read this. Some continue to fly high and recreate themselves (Kristi Yamagucki, Nancy Kerrigan, Dorothy Hamill, Monica Seles, Mary Lou Retton, Nadia Comaneci, etc.) when the gold medals and world titles fade away. After years of sycophantic praise, some of these young women are left to go back to their small towns and wonder how to reinvent themselves. Miss Bobek clearly chose a path fraught with danger, but I cannot help but think there is no guidance once you are not a winner in the eyes of the fans.
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