Hamilton To Skate At L.A. Forum

Scott Hamilton’s cancer is gone. Now he’s going to find out if his nerve is still there.

The Olympic skating champion takes to the ice in front of an audience for the first time Wednesday night in an exhibition at the Los Angeles Forum that will be shown on CBS-TV this fall.

“I’m scared to death,” he said. “It’s going to be different from any other show. This one is unique because there’s so much emotion tied into it.”

Hamilton, 39, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in March. He underwent chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor and his right testicle. Doctors give him an 80-percent to 90-percent chance for a full recovery.

After months off the ice, Hamilton returned to find the spins, jumps and flips he tossed off so easily for decades felt strange.

“I haven’t gotten everything back yet. My stamina is really weak from all the chemotherapy and radiation,” he said. “My blood counts still aren’t normal. It’s going to take a lot of work.”