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Debi Thomas, the trailblazing American athlete and pioneering figure skater, broke barriers and shattered stereotypes with her exceptional talent and determination. As the first African American woman to win the World Figure Skating Championships and an Olympic medalist, Thomas inspired generations of young athletes, proving that perseverance and passion can overcome any obstacle.
"The Olympics: not one of my better memories."
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"The Olympics: not one of my better memories."

Sports, Memories
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"I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true."
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"I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true."

Time, Dreams, People
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"I just thought that it was magical having to glide across the ice."
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"I just thought that it was magical having to glide across the ice."

Thought,
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"I would make my mom buy me the toy doctor kit."
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"I would make my mom buy me the toy doctor kit."

Family, Mom
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"Right now I am doing my residency in orthopedic research."
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"Right now I am doing my residency in orthopedic research."

Now, Research, Right
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"So I went for engineering, specifically product design, which I enjoyed."
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"So I went for engineering, specifically product design, which I enjoyed."

Design, Engineering
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"I am not really sure how I got interested in medicine."
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"I am not really sure how I got interested in medicine."

Career, Medicine
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"What was most important to me at the Olympics was going out there and performing my best. When I messed up the first jump combination, which was my big move, it hit me that I messed up the program of my life."
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"What was most important to me at the Olympics was going out there and performing my best. When I messed up the first jump combination, which was my big move, it hit me that I messed up the program of my life."

Life, First
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"I begged my mom to let me start skating."
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"I begged my mom to let me start skating."

Family, Mom
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"My skating is a very emotional thing that comes from the heart, never doing it for the medal."
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"My skating is a very emotional thing that comes from the heart, never doing it for the medal."

Heart,
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"Probably the '86 nationals. That was my first real national title and first real statement I ever made in figure skating, and my life changed after I returned."
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"Probably the '86 nationals. That was my first real national title and first real statement I ever made in figure skating, and my life changed after I returned."

Life, First
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"I was always very strong in math, physics and calculus."
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"I was always very strong in math, physics and calculus."

Childhood, Physics
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