European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 16, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Former olympians go from Gold to Golden Throat by Sharon Cohen the associated press they Are the ghosts of olympics past. Once they dazzled and delighted with spins and Speed. Fans wanted their autographs companies sought their endorsements. Their names sound familiar. Their faces pop up in ads for american express. Every four years they return to Tjie spotlight Back to the event where they gained their glory. They re competitors turned commentators roaming the Hills and valleys of the Winter olympics around Albertville France. Five time Speed skating medallist Eric Heiden and former figure skating Champ Scott Hamilton arc at the games for lbs. Two time Gold medallist Katarina Witt is making her debut with the network. And John Naber an athlete More at Home in water than on ice is the on site Anchor for Turner network television. A we like people who have been  said Rick Gentile lbs vice president of olympic programming. A to have been there and done it gives you a unique perspective. Also the announcers Are in most eases contemporaries of the athletes. The athletes look up to them and arc comfortable with  a coming up through the ranks i have a genuine affection for what they re going through Quot said Naber an olympic swimmer who won four Gold medals and a Silver in 1976. A i Hope it la help me ask the right  a people like to hear from the athletes Quot said Mike Eruzione Captain of the �?T80 a Miracle on Lee Quot Hoeker team. A just before the gun goes off they know w hat they be been thinking they be done  lbs uses former olympians in virtually every sport including Andy Mill Billy Kidd and Christin Cooper in skiing. Int also has  cadre of athletes turned analysts among them 84 figure skating Silver medallist Peter Carruthers. Making the transition from Star to Star watcher Isnit always easy on the ego. A was a competitor you re involved in what you do Quot said Hamilton whose medal came eight years ago in Sarajevo Yugoslavia. A was a commentator you re involved in what everybody else  there arc camera angles to learn interviewing techniques to perfect and other disciplines to master chief among them suppressing the urge to wave the hag. Quot you can to be too much of a cheerleader Quot said i re Zione who is working his fourth olympic s. Quot you want to be. You want the . To win in every event. You have to not take sides. I think that s hard. A i guess what makes a Good commentator is someone that prepares Well knows his stuff. Is kind of charismatic and has some kind of fun at what he  a Good commentator must be a Good teacher too with the ability to explain the sport to Tell a figure skating viewer the difference Between a salchow and an Axel for example. A you be got to remember almost 1 h percent of americans have no idea what s going on in Speed skating. You have to keep things really simple Quot said Heiden the 1980 hero who shunned most endorsements for a Low profile life As an orthopaedic surgeon in the non ice skating climes of California. In other instances it s just As important to be quiet. A that s about the Best thing to learn a Hamilton said. A you done to want to be the noisy neighbor in the movie theater you want the skating to speak for  though most analysts Are no longer in the limelight make no mistake hey Are not has beens. Witt an emmy Winner for on ice performances in to skating shows is in the Middle of her third skating tour with fellow Champion Brian Boitano. Hamilton skates professionally and competitively. All relish their olympic Days. Sometimes the glow of the Gold has a Long shelf life. Ask Eruzione. A everybody always asks a is this team As Good As the �?T80 team a that s unfair Quot he said. A everybody has their own identity their own place. We re in the books. We won our Gold medal. Our life  so do the memories. A the olympics is the greatest sporting event in the world a he said. A to get to see it from the other Side of the camera is As exciting As it is to participate. Its unbelievable to be Able to do  Katarina Witt won the olympic figure skating Crown in 1988 left and now Calls the games for  16. 1992 sunday a Page 9