While Scott Hamilton retired from ice skating, he has remained a prominent figure in the sports community. Hamilton is best known for taking home the gold medal in the 1984 Winter Olympics and performing his signature backflip move.

By Lori Ewing MILAN, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. Olympic greats including Scott Hamilton and Apolo Ohno offered words of encouragement to figure skater Ilia Malinin on Saturday after his disastrous performance on his Games debut.

Scott Hamilton was brought to tears on the Friday, Jan. 31 episode of the Today show as he reflected on the loss the U.S. figure skating community is feeling after the tragic D.C. plane crash that claimed the lives of 14 skaters and coaches.

Scott Hamilton is among the notable Winter Olympians with ties to the Nashville and Tennessee area.

I blew it,” said American figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin after his disastrous free skate at the Olympics. (AP Photo)

Scott Hamilton is a retired American figure skater, author, and television analyst. He is best remembered for winning the Olympic gold medal at the 1984 Winter Games in Sarajevo. That victory ended a 24-year gold medal drought for American male figure skaters.

NBC figure skating analyst Scott Hamilton is under fire for his reaction to the Madison Chock, Evan Bates controversy.