Hamilton Makes Emotional Return

Scott Hamilton, tears shining in his eyes, fell while skating Wednesday night in his first show since beating testicular cancer.

The star-studded crowd at the Forum broke into applause right away, as if encouraging Hamilton to keep going. He did and pulled off two triple jumps near the end of his 4-1/2-minute routine.

“I win,” a raspy voiced Hamilton, his eyes closed, told the roaring crowd. “It wasn’t my best. It wasn’t about being 100 percent. It was about standing between these lights and having the greatest view in the world.”

Then, skating with a microphone in his hand, Hamilton said, “But I wouldn’t be truly back,” before tossing his trademark back flip.

The back flip hasn’t come as easily since he was forced off the ice seven months ago after being diagnosed with cancer at 39.

Hamilton’s hair, which he shaved off during chemotherapy, was short. And he’s still working to regain the weight that whittled to 115 pounds while he was away.

As Hamilton skated, country singer Gary Morris performed “With One More Look at You,” a sedate song for the usually frenetic Hamilton.

Helping out Hamilton were a who’s who of Olympic figure skaters - Ekaterina Gordeeva, Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano, Kurt Browning, Brian Orser, Paul Wylie and Roslyn Sumners.

They spoofed Hamilton’s comedic routines in a group number.