A week ago last Sunday I awoke at the crack of dawn and anxiously tossed my largely overweight suitcases in the back of my somewhat dated Accord. Despite the usually unacceptable hour, my enthusiasm for the upcoming adventure was unfettered.

I was on my way to Salt Lake City, home of the famous Mormons, land of the majestic mountains and selected source of the latest worldwide scandal. However, from Feb. 7-14, the future Olympic venue became the home of the 1999 U.S. Figure Skating National Championships. This was to be Salt Lake’s first chance at redemption, a chance to prove that the city was, despite public opinion, a worthy spot and capable of handling the pressures of a large and prestigious event.

As a fifth year senior, I was nothing short of ecstatic at the chance to sink my hands into the constantly growing world of sports. This was my chance to view the athletes I had spent the last semester admiring and admittedly envying during an internship with the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Like many fans, young and old, I was prepared to see the pleasant and healthy competition of young men and women’s figure skating. This was to be my induction into the world of amateur athletics. This competition was not to be riddled with overpaid, oversized egos like basketball’s Michael Jordan or golf’s Tiger Woods. These were the kids that were theoretically struggling to make it big in hopes of progressing to a profitable professional career.

After a week surrounded by the world of “amateur” sports I came to one simple conclusion: Tara Lipinski made the right call.

Many sporting fans were shocked and somewhat saddened by last years’ announcement that 15-year-old Tara had decided to make the dramatic jump into the world of professional athletics. “How could she do it? How could she give up another attempt at the gold medal?”

Well, let’s set a couple of things straight. Was it for the prize money awarded in professional competitions and shows?

Not a likely prediction considering the amount of money raked in by today’s “struggling” amateur athletes. I should hope to be so amateur.

Even the importance of the national championships was somewhat overshadowed by who wore which name on their shirt and whether it conflicted with any company each individual had signed through the seas of pushy agents that have become a staple to any recognized name.

I believe that at the age of 15, Tara had to give up her dream of returning to the Olympics simply because she had nowhere to go but back down.

Somewhere along the line corporate America has lost prospective and tainted the dream of the individual. Tara knew her sponsor stock would plummet if she lost to Michelle Kwan after winning the gold, an inevitable turn of events.

From the moment these athletes become a frequently-mentioned name in any sport, their personal goals revolve less on personal accomplishments and more on corporate backing.

Michelle Kwan, last year’s silver medalist, said that she would probably still be competing as an amateur even if she had been the winner of Nagano’s gold.

Fact or fiction?

Is she still there for the love of the competition or the needed recognition of the gold?

Naomi Nari Nam was the silver medalist at last week’s event, finishing behind an already well-represented Kwan. To put it mildly, 13-year-old Nam is absolutely amazing.

Her skill did not go unnoticed. From the moment she walked into the arena in Salt Lake City, agents and sponsors swarmed the petite youngster to get her signature on the dotted line.

Amid the bowels of corporate America, little Naomi may someday be forced to end her career while she is on the top as well.

Rather than setting out to buy the product of companies that support the athletes, amateur athletes would benefit even more by selfless donations.

Real viewers of the sport wanting to help need to offer these gifts to simply support the athletes rather than put extra pressure on these youngsters to turn a profit.

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Ellyn Peterson is a senior in journalism and international studies from Algona.