- Randy Gardner (figure skater)
Randy Gardner (born 1958) is a U.S.
figure skater , the partner ofTai Babilonia . They began skating together as children, when Babilonia was eight and Gardner ten. [ [http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-elliott20mar20,1,6401061.column Los Angeles Times, March 20, 2008: Babilonia and Gardner's Bond Survives Off the Ice] ] Their coach wasJohn Nicks . The pair were five-time gold medalists at theU.S. Figure Skating Championships and won the gold medal at the 1979World Figure Skating Championships . They were medal favorites at the 1980 Olympics but were forced to withdraw due to an injury to Gardner. [ [http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-elliott20mar20,1,6401061.column Los Angeles Times, March 20, 2008: Babilonia and Gardner's Bond Survives Off the Ice] ]Gardner revealed that he is
gay in a 2006 interview with "Scene" magazine. [ [http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-elliott20mar20,1,6401061.column Los Angeles Times, March 20, 2008: Babilonia and Gardner's Bond Survives Off the Ice] ] As an adult he discovered that he was adopted after a relative divulged the family secret and he subsequently tracked down his birth mother, with whom he developed a relationship. [People Magazine, May 26, 2008, Vol. 69, No. 20, p. 159: "Together Forever"] He is currently working on his autobiography which is scheduled for release at the end of 2008. [ [http://www.lifeskate.com/skate/2008/04/catching-up-wit.html Lifeskate.com, April 11, 2008] ]Gardner has been featured as a choreographer on the television show "
Skating with Celebrities ".In 2008, Babilonia and Gardner announced their retirement from professional figure skating due to a neck injury suffered by Gardner and their advancing ages. [People Magazine, May 26, 2008, Vol. 69, No. 20, p. 159: "Together Forever"]
Competitive highlights
(all with Babilonia)
1974
*U.S. Championships - 2nd
*World Championships - 10th1975
*U.S. Championships - 2nd
*World Championships - 10th1976
*U.S. Championships - 1st
*Olympics - 5th
*World Championships - 5th1977
*U.S. Championships - 1st
*World Championships - 3rd1978
*U.S. Championships - 1st
*World Championships - 3rd1979
*U.S. Championships - 1st
*World Championships - 1st1980
*U.S. Championships - 1stReferences
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