If you’re like me you most certainly remember the 1998 U.S. Figure Skating Championships – this was the year American institution Michelle Kwan won gold, future Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinksi won silver, and Nicole Bobek finished with the bronze. However it was a 21 year-old Bobek that skated away with a young Scott Howard’s heart – and by heart I mean…I thought she was like really hot. Like Dominique Moceanu before her (my object of affection at the ’96 Summer Olympics), I imagined a scenario in which she’d be taken with my teenage charm and lack of skating ability – you know to the point where it would be disarming and cute – and we’d date for a while, at least until Moceanu finally came around. Either way she was unlike anything I’d ever seen in the world of figure skating. In a sport of teenage girls with tiny bodies, Bobek just had boobs something different.
Although the wheels came completely off for Bobek in the Winter Olympics – where she finished 17th – I didn’t care, we were still meant to be together. Shockingly Nicole and I grew apart after the Nagano games – I started getting further into high school and she…well she turned into this:
After not hearing her name in 11 years imagine my surprise when I discovered my sweet Nicole had been arrested for conspiracy to distribute meth. All together a pretty jarring outcome. Unbeknown to me this wasn’t Bobek’s first rodeo. When she was 17 she was arrested and charged with first degree home invasion. While she’s still pretty cute in that “I will probably go home with you and then cut you” way, I’ll prefer to remember her as the 21 year-old blonde beauty that stole my child-like heart.
What a shame. It seems all we ever hear these days is one athlete or celebrity who is mixed up or dying from stuff like this.
I remember Bobek too. Too bad her life is so confused.
Oh how the mighty do fall. I think basketball and football have some competition for dirtbag turn prosports dirtbag turn arrested prosports dirtbag atheletes. Figure skating is bring the heat.
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I went through the same, sad realization. What a waste. At least she smiles with her mouth closed so we don’t have to look at her meth teeth.
interesting..
Very good piece!
I’m sorry to hear that your skating idol has fallen so far from the pedestal. I am happy to report, however, that mine has not. You’ll have to go a bit further back in skating history but I am sure you’ll recall the name Dorothy Hamill. Still beautiful, still skating and still respectable. Boy, can I pick’em!?!?
ugh…
too bad
That sucks dude…..it really does.
I remember my high school crush…a lovely brunette with amazing eyes.
She turned into a crack whore (seriously), las time I saw her she was like 6 months pregnant and trying to convince some random guy in a parking lot in my hometown. very sad image of a once beatiful girl…..she still has amazing eyes though.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who knows of the rare category of cuteness, the “I will probably go home with you and then cut you” cute. Thanks for validating my highschool years 🙂
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Sad. There’s something insidious out meth in which users are so easily drawn into addicition – and willing to do just about anything in order to get their next hit. I hope she’s able to get the help required to get past this and move on with her life.
Wow…hard to believe it’s the same chick. She looks like Charlize Theron in “Monster!”