After Olympian feats, earthly life resumes

Ex-champion Kristi Yamaguchi began planning a new career when she reached the games

By Nadine Kam

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 02, 2012

~~<p>All the athletes at the London Olympics are focused on the moment when they can bring home the gold to their respective countries. Without a plan for life after the games, what happens next is often far less heroic. You might see these elite athletes endorsing cereal or sandwiches, rubbing elbows with costumed characters at Disneyland or, like Bruce Jenner, playing dad to a passel of Kardashians.</p>
<p>Kristi Yamaguchi empathizes. The 1992 Olympic gold medal winner in women's figure skating said she was single-minded in her goal from childhood.</p>
~~

All the athletes at the London Olympics are focused on the moment when they can bring home the gold to their respective countries. Without a plan for life after the games, what happens next is often far less heroic. You might see these elite athletes endorsing cereal or sandwiches, rubbing elbows with costumed characters at Disneyland or, like Bruce Jenner, playing dad to a passel of Kardashians.

Kristi Yamaguchi empathizes. The 1992 Olympic gold medal winner in women's figure skating said she was single-minded in her goal from childhood. Login for more...