LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Dorothy Hamill
built 214 days ago
After winning the Olympic Gold in 1976 at age 19, Dorothy Hamill was "America's Sweetheart" and an idol to millions. She swept the nation with her signature haircut, "Hamill" camel spin, and sparkling smile. But this gifted and supremely talented figure skater lived a life off the ice encumbered with family and financial tribulations. She and her mother spent long months away from her father and siblings so she could properly train, and Dorothy often questioned whether the outcome was worth the sacrifice as she attempted to handle an emotionally unavailable mother, alcoholic father, and a financial toll on her entire family. Skating has always been Dorothy's only means of escape, but an intense depression took over when Dorothy found that success did not wash away the constant stress of trying to please her parents and coaches. She married the love of her life, Dean Paul Martin, only to face devastation when he was tragically killed in a plane crash shortly after their marriage ended.
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In the mid-1970s, American figure skater Dorothy Hamill was the leader in her field, capping her success with a gold medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics. She was known for her signature "Hamill camel" and wedge/bob haircut which started a fashion craze. After the Olympics, Hamill turned professional, skating in shows and professional events, and later owning the Ice Capades. As a skater, her style balanced athleticism and grace, and she was a dominant freestyle specialist.
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Dorothy Hamill won her first U.S. title in 1974. In 1976, she won the world championship and a gold medal at the Olympics in Montreal, where her beauty and charisma won her worldwide acclaim. Her signature move, dubbed the Hamill Camel, and her bobbed hairstyle became trademarks to her legions of fans.
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When Dorothy Hamill won Olympic gold in 1976 with her trademark spin, the “Hamill Camel,” she inspired millions. But behind that sparkling smile was a life of heartache. Now, three decades after her gold-medal performance, “America's Sweetheart” finally speaks out about her behind-the-scenes trauma — and the challenges she's faced ever since. Here's an excerpt.
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Dorothy Hamill was born on July 26, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in Riverside, Connecticut. Dorothy was the youngest of three children; she had an older brother and sister. She started skating when she was 8 years old. Dorothy won her first title in 1969. Dorothy carried a lucky rag doll to all of her events.
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Dorothy Hamill is known for skating with a style that was perfect. Her jumps were graceful and her technical skating was excellent. Her head was always up and she had perfect posture.
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Dorothy Hamill