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CNN Saturday Morning News

Sarah Hughes Becomes an Advertiser's Dream

Aired February 23, 2002 - 08:51   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, now, America's new sweetheart, what's her name?

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Sarah.

O'BRIEN: Sarah Hughes. She is as cute as a button and...

PHILLIPS: Little Sarah.

O'BRIEN: ... gosh, she can skate. Wow. She might be headed for another surprise, that unexpected gold medal in skating just might lead her to, at the very least, a Wheaties box, but probably a lot more.

Here's CNN's Michael Okwu.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Even after the deafening ovation, the avalanche of flowers from fans and her own tears of disbelief, Sarah Hughes was not expected to win the gold. Today, she's a household name.

SARAH HUGHES, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: I do enjoy it but I also recognize this responsibility that I have not only to myself and my family, but even to the whole skating community.

OKWU: Just the kind of wholesome image that's catnip for advertisers.

KIP COSLOW, SPORTS MARKETING AGENT: We've already gotten calls at Steiner Sports (ph) for a number of, from a number of different corporations looking for her to do appearances for autographs, memorabilia, what have you. I think her potential is huge in the marketplace.

OKWU: Before she flexes her newfound fame and jumps into a new tax bracket, Sarah is scheduled to take part in an 80 city skating tour with other champions. Madison Avenue will likely wait.

MARK LUND, "INTERNATIONAL FIGURE SKATING" MAGAZINE: She is the quintessential girl next door type of look. She's very fun. She's got a lot of energy, a lot of spunk. She handles herself very well in press conferences. OKWU: Next door is here, Great Neck, an affluent stretch of Long Island just east of New York City, where years ago then 4-year-old Sarah made a wish.

HUGHES: I wish I'd get a gold medal. I can't wait for that to happen.

OKWU: Today, 9-year-old Jade Vigiano (ph) is also making wishes.

JADE VIGIANO: Now I want to be a professional skater, because it was just amazing. Just, it made me happy. It made me want to skate more.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She did beautifully and we didn't expect it but she came through. It's very exciting for everyone who knows her.

OKWU: Sarah's 11th grade classmates were on vacation. A few reporters loitered in her driveway. In town, they were savoring the front page news on sandwiches and cupcakes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sarah, this is for you. God bless you. God bless America.

OKWU (on camera): When Sarah Hughes returns home, she'll be greeted by hundreds of images like this and by local residents who are all eager to get a close look at that gold medal. Town officials tell us they've planned a parade for their hometown hero in the coming weeks.

Michael Okwu, CNN, Great Neck, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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