Judy Blumberg is a Ketchum resident and figure skating coach. In addition, two of her pairs teams competed in the Vancouver Olympics last week. Mark Ladwig & Amanda Evora and Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett. She has been a consulting coach to both pairs teams. Blumberg answers questions about her Olympic experience below.What Olympics did you participate in and in what event(s)?
1980 Lake Placid & 1984 Sarajevo in Figure Skating Ice DancingHave you been back to the host city? If so, what was that like for you (memories, experiences, etc.)?
I have been back to Lake Placid for several years running for Figure Skating events. It's still the small town it was and still the small shops that were there in 1980. I will always remember that arena which hosted the most memorable Olympic event for Americans -- The Miracle on Ice. It's heartwarming to see that they have tried to rebuild Sarajevo after the war. People were incredibly warm in 1984. I would really like to go back to revisit the country. I have great fond memories of the people and their generousity. There was no evidence of the trouble that would occur shortly thereafter with the war.Have you stayed involved in the Olympic movement? If so, in what ways?
Yes. I served as a representative as an athlete representative to the USOC Athletes Advisory Council. I have stayed involved in my sport as a coach, consultant, and as a Technical Specialist in the Ice Dance event.Describe your experience(s) in the Opening & Closing Ceremonies. What stands out?
Lake Placid Opening Ceremonies - As the host nation, we were the last to go in and I remember the excitement. It was beyond description. As an Olympian, you are so proud and honored to represent this country, but also feel a tremendous responsibility to do your absolute best and also be friendly. You are an ambassador for your country and it carries many things with it. Scott Hamilton carried the flag into the stadium and we all stood tall right behind him. It was also freezing, and the clothes given to us by Levi Strauss weren't quite warm enough. They called the skating team the 1980 Dream Team. The stadium we walked into was incredibly loud. The 1980 Winter Olympics probably had only about 1500 athletes compared to today's 2600 athletes. I remember thinking how we were all like one big family.
Describe your experience(s) in the Olympic Village.
You hang out in the cafeteria and meet everyone. Everyone is so normal and they are all there to pursue their dream. I realized how well-rounded most of the athletes are. Playing games, cards and hanging out was a lot of fun. The food was great. Everybody wanted to trade for the U.S. stuff. I traded my jacket for a Lichtenstein jacket that I wore until just a few years ago.What was the biggest surprise about your Olympic experience?
1980 - just making team, as it wasn't expected. The biggest surprise was that it was so much bigger than any competition we'd been to before, but at the same time it really was just another series of run throughs. The important thing is to be in a place where your personal best stands up against the world on any given day.What is the single best experience as an Olympian whether it was during the Games or afterwards?
You are always an Olympian, never a former Olympian. The Olympic family grow larger every 2 years and it's a fantastic family to call your own! You realize you have achieved something quite unique. The U.S. is the greatest country to represent.What does it mean to you to be an Olympian?
It feels like an honor and a responsibility and you are held to a standard. You are expected to handle any and all situations with grace and integrity . I'm always proud when I'm introduced as an Olympian. You feel the rewards of your hard work and that all the sacrifices you made in the process were worth it all, whatever the result. What I have come to realize is that being an Olympian does not define me, but rather compliment all that I am as a coach, a teacher, and a mother. You nurture and inspire so many young people just by having ventured down the Olympic path with or without a medal in hand. The journey was richer than any prize that there might have been at the end and I am forever grateful for the wonderful memories and friends the experience has given me.
The video below is from when Judy medaled at the worlds is considered by many to be one of the outstanding programs of that era.
Here is my contact information: Patti
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