STORIES

Tara Lipinkski:
With a Little Help from Above

  

By Mary Varni

 

She’s the youngest gold medallist in Olympic figure skating history. She’s been on practically every talk show and in every publication in the world. But did you know that she’s Catholic? That she visits local children’s hospitals everywhere she travels? And, that two years ago, she limited her skating competitions so she could spend more time with her family? There’s a lot more to this 18-year-old champion than just fame and talent. Tara’s faith in God is TOP priority. 

 

When the gold medal was placed around Tara’s neck at the ’98 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, she made history. The event was recorded in print, TV and radio. But there was one thing that the media overlooked: the medal that was already around Tara’s neck, the one of St. Therese of Liseux. This medal represents where Tara’s real strength comes from—her faith in Christ.

 

Tara and her mother started out each competition with a nine-day novena to St. Therese, asking for God’s blessing and protection. “When I go out there, I think of St. Therese. When I’m competing, it helps me, because I know she’s with me. It makes me feel calmer, and I go for anything,” Tara said (Catholic News Service).

 

Tara’s trust in the Little Flower started in 1994 when Tara’s parents were beginning to feel the strain her success was taking on their family life. Tara had just come in fourth place at the World Junior Championships. Pat and Jack Lipinski didn’t feel they had any other choice but to ask Tara to leave the sport. Reluctant to do so, they decided they needed to pray for God’s guidance. Later on from their hotel window, Tara’s mom noticed “St. Therese with the roses in her arms was right in front of me”—in the façade of a local Catholic church (CNS). They trusted that God wanted Tara to continue competing.

 

The Lipinskis’ faith in God was not misplaced. Two years later, Tara started on the road that led her to Olympic gold. And, throughout her successes and failures, Tara and her parents never forgot to thank the One who made it all possible. After coming in first place at the ’96 World Championships and the ’97 National Championships, she became the youngest world figure skating champion ever at the tender age of 14.

 

Despite rigorous practice schedules and overwhelming victories, Tara kept her focus on the things that really count. She and her mother still made the time to visit local children’s hospitals wherever she was competing.

 

“It brings us back to reality. You really begin to think that life revolves around landing a triple lutz. You forget there is a world out there,” Tara said (“Totally Tara: An Olympic Journey”).

 

(YOU! Magazine, August 1998)

 

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St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Copyright © 2002 Saint Michael Center for the Blessed Virgin Mary

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