Scott Hamilton: From Tennessee Ties to Olympic Analyst

Scott Hamilton, a Franklin, Tennessee resident, achieved Olympic gold in figure skating at the 1984 Sarajevo Games, winning compulsory figures and placing second in the short program. Despite early struggles and financial difficulties, Hamilton founded the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy, representing a prominent figure among Winter Olympians with Tennessee connections.

He is set to serve as an on-air analyst for NBC at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games, marking his tenth Olympics. Hamilton expressed his passion for the sport and his commitment to representing athletes' stories. "It's never about me; it's always about them," he stated.

The article highlights other notable Winter Olympians with ties to Tennessee. Janet Lynn, a 1972 bronze medalist, settled in Sparta, Tennessee. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor, a two-time Olympian in bobsledding, has ties to Knoxville. NHL players Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, and Juuse Saros, also have Tennessee connections through the Predators.

Further recognized athletes include Peter Oppegard, a Knoxville native and 1988 bronze medalist in pairs skating, who later faced controversy as a coach. Former Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, a 2014 gold medalist, and legendary skier Lindsey Vonn, who spent time in Tennessee while dating Subban, also feature in this list of state-connected Olympians.