Then and Now: Kristi Yamaguchi

She won the gold medal at the 1992 Albertville Olympics - and she lived happily ever after.

That's the romantic ending that figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi is enjoying these days.

On July 8, 2000, on the Big Island of Hawaii, Yamaguchi married Florida Panthers hockey player Bret Hedican in front of hundreds of family and friends.

''For me, he is such a gentleman,'' Yamaguchi said, smiling broadly. ''He broke my stereotype of what a hockey player should be like.''

It has been 10 years since Yamaguchi took her place among the pantheon of Olympic figure skaters, her story told over and over in the days leading up to her victory.

Yamaguchi's mother was born in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II, and her grandfather was serving in the U.S. Army.

Yamaguchi became obsessed with figure skating as a little girl. Her favorite toy was a Dorothy Hamill doll. Until 1991, she skated both singles and pairs, teaming with Rudy Galindo. At the 1990 World Championships, she placed fourth in singles and fifth in pairs with Galindo. She went solo the next season and won the first of her two World titles.

A favorite going into the Albertville Games, Yamaguchi was first after the short program. A solid free skate, combined with falls by all the other top competitors, earned her the gold.

And do you remember who placed 2-3-4 at those Olympics? Midori Ito, Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding.

''In some ways, no, it seems like a short time ago, but then considering all the things that have happened in 10 years, I guess it does seem like a long time ago,'' Yamaguchi said. ''It was a special time in my life. I think the further away you get from the gold medal, the more you appreciate it.''

She has been inducted into U.S. and World Figure Skating halls of fame and today remains one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. She is a spokesperson for Allstate, Hallmark, Bank of America and General Motors, where she serves as the co-chairman, with Evelyn Ashford, on the ''Team behind the Team'' Olympic program that gives GM vehicles to deserving Olympic hopefuls.

She was one of the original celebrities photographed by Annie Leibovitz for the milk mustache campaign.

Yamaguchi has been skating on the ''Stars on Ice'' tour for the past 10 years. Other skaters on the 61-city tour this year include two-time Olympic gold medalist Katarina Witt and 1998 Nagano gold medalist Tara Lipinski.

Yamaguchi also does a lot of charity work and is heavily involved with her Always Dream Foundation, which raises funds for neglected and abused children.

Her foundation will begin a summer camp in Hawaii for disadvantaged children this summer.

''All the athletic glory and honors are wonderful, but sometimes I am face-to-face with a disadvantaged child or a struggling mother or father, and I am grateful for my gifts,'' she said.

''The good feeling I get from contributing rivals anything I felt on the Olympic stand in Albertville.''

PROFILE: KRISTI YAMAGUCHI

Age: 30.

Residence: Reno, Nev., and San Francisco.

Current occupation: Cast member of ''Stars on Ice''; official goodwill ambassador for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics.

Family: Married to NHL player Bret Hedican, of the Florida Panthers.