Legendary figure skater Scott Hamilton, who made history by winning the United States’ first Olympic gold medal in men’s figure skating in 1984, says he’s officially hung up his skates — but not because of fear or frailty.
At 67, Hamilton jokes that his reason is far simpler.
“When you get to be a certain age… I’m 67 now, and nobody, NOBODY — I say that in all caps — wants to see a 67-year-old man in spandex. No one,” he said with a laugh in an interview with PEOPLE.
Though he’s no longer performing triple axels or dazzling crowds in sequined costumes, Hamilton’s passion for skating remains as strong as ever.
He will be part of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, not as a competitor but as a broadcaster, bringing his trademark enthusiasm and insight to viewers worldwide.
Before that, on November 23, Hamilton will host his annual Scott Hamilton & Friends fundraiser — a spectacular event that merges live music and figure skating to support his CARES Foundation.
This year’s show features an impressive lineup of skaters, including Olympians Nathan Chen, Jeremy Abbott, Keegan Messing, Mariah Bell, Polina Edmunds, and Sinead Kerr Marshall with John Kerr, as well as viral skating sensation Elladj Baldé and Maxim Naumov.
Adding to the excitement, Hamilton revealed that lead singers from Loverboy, Chicago, Journey, Kansas, and REO Speedwagon will form a one-night-only “superband” to perform live during the event.
“Back in the day, I would’ve killed to get a backstage pass to see or meet these guys,” he said. “And now I’m producing them at my show. It’s like, ‘Are you kidding me?!’”
Beyond the entertainment, the cause is deeply personal. Hamilton founded the CARES Foundation after surviving prostate cancer in 1997.
The organization focuses on funding cancer research that minimizes long-term harm to patients, promoting treatments like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and proton therapy.
“For so long, traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation created harm in the patient,” Hamilton explained.
“We like to partner with like-minded organizations to elevate research that treats the cancer and spares the patient harm.”
Despite decades of advocacy and personal challenges, Hamilton remains optimistic about the future of cancer treatment.
“Everything I’ve learned and witnessed tells me that there will be a time, probably in my lifetime — and I’m 67, so it’s not like I’ve got decades and decades left — when no one dies of cancer.”
Scott Hamilton may have left the rink, but his legacy — both on the ice and in the fight against cancer — continues to inspire millions around the world.
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