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CNN Live Saturday
Interview With Chris Klug
Aired February 16, 2002 - 12:30 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. is enjoying a record- breaking Olympics. The medal count is now 14; the best U.S. performance ever in the winter games. Yesterday, the U.S. took a silver and a bronze in the men's doubles luge. And Chris Klug, making a comeback after liver transplant surgery, grabbed a bronze medal in men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom. Within 14 medals in all, the U.S. trails only German now, which has 16 medals in all.
From transplant surgery to the Olympic medalist's podium, quite a trip in just 19 months. The man who won the record-breaking medal for the U.S. yesterday, Chris Klug; he joins us now from Salt Lake City. Congratulations and thanks so much for joining us.
CHRIS KLUG, OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST: Thank you very much. Thanks for having me.
WHITFIELD: Well before we talk about your journey to the podium of receiving your bronze medal, let's talk briefly about the press conference we just left by hearing from Pelletier and Sale. What was your thought on the fact that there has been criticism apparently from other athletes who say their fight for gold has detracted from other athletes and other competitions? Is that what you and others have been feeling?
KLUG: I don't know. I was just doing my event. Loving what I was doing; loving being here, and having fun up in Park City at our snowboarding venue. I think it's unfortunate what happened. I'm glad to see that it was rectified and they received their golds.
You know yesterday was pretty interesting. After my first run with Canadian snowboarder, Jerome Sylvestre, we came down to the bottom and they announced to the entire crowd that Jamie and David had received their gold medals and the whole crowd went crazy. So I think the whole snowboarding community was in support of that, and I think it's great to see. And at least it's resolved for now.
WHITFIELD: So universally it looks like everybody has been in support of that?
KLUG: Very much so. I know I am.
WHITFIELD: Well, Chris, let's talk about your journey. What an emotional moment and journey this must have been. For those who know your story, having received a liver transplant in less than -- less than two years ago, and then narrowly qualifying in your category and your event. And then, lo and behold, you end up taking bronze. How incredibly emotional and gratifying and rewarding this entire experience must be for you.
KLUG: It's been awesome. It's a dream come true. Through what I -- after all I've been through in the last couple of years here. And in 1998 I set a goal of coming back in 2002 on our home turf here in Utah and winning a gold. I came up a little short, but brought a medal home. And, you know, after the transplant and a knee surgery in 1998, it makes it that much more special.
WHITFIELD: Wow. Your girlfriend, Missy April said that, quote, "Everything he's done is a miracle." Is that what you feel? That you are, you know, a miracle man, so to speak?
KLUG: I don't know about that. I'm lucky to be here today. And you know it's a miracle that I was able to go back to doing what I love to do and bring a bronze home yesterday. I feel so lucky and forever grateful to the donor family, my friends, and my family, that I'm here today.
WHITFIELD: Speaking of which, the donor family -- there was a 13-year-old boy in which you were able to get the liver from. Have you had a chance to talk with, meet with the family since your winning?
KLUG: I haven't yet. I'm looking forward to meeting some of the family in the days ahead. But the only correspondence we've had to this point is a thank you letter that I wrote them following the transplant and telling them how grateful I am that I'm alive today and for the second chance I've received. And I'm now out here snowboarding because of them.
WHITFIELD: And how particularly poignant and remarkable that your victory came just one day after National Organ Donor Day. What does that feel like?
KLUG: Good timing.
WHITFIELD: Yeah, no kidding. Great timing.
KLUG: That was a nice coincidence. Saturn's National Donor Day, the largest single day donor event, was February 14 and Valentine's Day and the day I qualified for the finals yesterday. So it's pretty special for me. You know, another reminder of how lucky I am here today. And hopefully it encourages a few families and loved ones to share their decision and talk about organ transplantation. It saves lives and allows miracles, and I'm living proof of that.
WHITFIELD: So what now, Chris Klug? I mean, you ended up beating all the odds. You yourself never expected that you'd end up medaling. And you end up being the only American who even qualified in the finals. Where do you go from here?
KLUG: I'm going to just enjoy it and go check out the U.S.A.- Russia hockey match tonight and enjoy the rest of the Olympics. Partake in closing ceremonies. I have a good friend, Katie Monahan, competing in the Super G event tomorrow over at Snowbasin. I'm going to go cheer her on and check out some of the other venues and events and just enjoy it all.
WHITFIELD: Oh that's so fantastic. Thanks so much for joining us, and congratulations to you. You are such an inspiration to so many people. I know you've been hearing that throughout your journey there at the Olympics. And you'll be hearing an earful or two of it more until those closing ceremonies, I'm sure.
KLUG: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks a lot. Chris Klug...
KLUG: Thank you very much.
WHITFIELD: ... bronze medalist for the U.S.
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