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American Morning

Interview With Sarah Hughes

Aired August 20, 2002 - 09:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It has been six short months since Sarah Hughes flew through the air with that amazing triple-triple in Salt Lake. She won America's heart and a gold medal at the Winter Games, and now she's heading back to her senior year in high school, using some of her fame to help others achieve and receive an education, too. Here to talk about the skating and world and more things, too.
Good to see you in person.

SARAH HUGHES, FIGURE SKATER: It's great to be here.

HEMMER: You were awesome in Salt Lake, I got to tell you, really good stuff. I want to talk about that in a minute. Let's get the dirty stuff out of way first. So many times, Sara, we have heard these headlines about corrupt judges, even going back to February in Salt Lake. Curious to know from an insider's perspective, how much doubt do you think that can cast on the game, or how much damage could it do?

HUGHES: Well, you know, it's really unfortunate that my sport is in such a negative light right now and people are seeing it, because I have only I have seen so many positive things and skating has enhanced my life so much. That is reason why I am skating, and the reasons that I here to say why, about -- this label for educations program that I am involved with Campbells, and the reason that I have not seen so many negative things in skating is because I try if lead a balanced life with my family, and going to school, and going to the rink. I'm practicing, and I do two things that I really to love do.

HEMMER: I know you're doing a thing with Campbell, trying to promote education across America. I'm not going to let you off the hook that easy just yet, though.

Going back, in four years time, or even two years time, world championship time, even Olympic time again, do you think skating will make moves this will say, and say to fans you know what, it's legit again, you can trust the judges.

HUGHES: Well, I think that you should always try to trust the judges. When I go out skate I trust myself; I skate because I to love skate, and that is only reason why. i hope to go to world championships and year and try out. I am -- the word championship are in Washington, D.C. What a better opportunity than it is to skate in my country again in a world skating event, the internationals. That would be amazing. And looking to my future, I am next year looking to go back it high school doing my senior year and competing. That is really what I love to do, and that is why I can combine my skating and help shed more light on education.

HEMMER: It's all good.

HUGHES: Ideal, yes.

HEMMER: Hey, listen, this is not Salt Lake here, but it's pretty darn close to it, but do you remember the night when you won the gold, and do you remember how you felt before you went on the ice?

HUGHES: Yes, actually I -- really vivid. Some people say they don't remember much when from when they won, other Olympic champions, but I remember every single moment and what I was thinking and what I was feeling, and it was just magical. And when I stepped down on the ice, I knew it was going to be great. I knew everything was going to go as it did.

HEMMER: You were in a zone, weren't you?

HUGHES: I was in a zone, and I sat down, and I just felt like something magical was going to happen. And so just to get on ice have that feeling and have that confidence, the gold medal was last thing on my mind.

HEMMER: Really? That is so interesting, your confidence was so high. So what's happening at Great Neck North High School here? You're going to be a senior. You turned the town upside down. What are people saying and still reacting to today?

HUGHES: I am so fortune go to a school such as Great Neck North High, where there is such a great atmosphere and camaraderie among the students. And actually, we didn't have the program. I didn't know anything about the labels for education program, which is why I wanted to help promote it, because when I found that this program has been going on for 29 years, and they've given over $100 million worth of free merchandise to schools that needed it, such as computer, and games, and pencils and paper, and even vans. I mean, each of these -- well, label that I am on, the Sarah Hughes scholarship, you peal it off...

HEMMER: You are proud of that, aren't you?

HUGHES: Yes, I've never been on a can of soup before.

HEMMER: I don't think many of us have actually .

HUGHES: This is very impressive to me. I don't know, just seeing my picture. Can you see...

HEMMER: She was telling us earlier that's the fourth time a skater has ever been on a cover of Campbells soup, right, but this one, Sarah, they had to change the label so that they can fit your gorgeous pose there, right?

HUGHES: Yes. Thank you very much.

But, usually chicken needle is in middle of the can, and here it's a little slightly off.

(LAUGHTER)

HUGHES: Yes. So, just so, of course, I love being on the can of soup, and my brothers eat soup with me on it, too. The cans will be coming out in September actually, but if you collect the bonus points, and you're school's involved with program, you can turn it in and get free stuff such as computers, or vans.

HEMMER: You are a doll. Campbell should be lucky to have you.

HUGHES: Thank you.

HEMMER: Sarah Hughes, good luck to your senior year. Enjoy it, by the way. Don't let this the time slip too far.

HUGHES: I am enjoying every minute of it. Thank you.

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