Hughes, the reigning World and U.S. bronze medalist, claimed the Olympic gold medal in in February and became the first person to rebound from fourth place to win an Olympic gold medal since the short program-free skate scoring system was introduced at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games. Hughes skated one of the most technically demanding programs ever attempted in an Olympic ladies competition including two clean triple-triple combinations (triple Salchow/triple loop and triple toe/triple loop). Hughes, 16, also became the fourth youngest Olympic ladies figure skating champion of all time.

A veteran of two U.S. World Teams, Hughes secured her third U.S. World Team berth with a silver medal performance at the 2001 U.S. Championships in Boston. Since her fifth place finish at the 2000 World Championships, Hughes has captured medals at every event since, including a recent bronze medal performance ahead of 1999 World champion Maria Butyrskaya at the 2001 Grand Prix Final. Sarah began skating at age 3 because her two older brothers and sister skated. She is the fourth of six children. She takes all honor classes at school. Her off-ice interests include reading, rollerblading and playing tennis. Her silver medal at the 1999 World Junior Championships enabled her to become the youngest competitor in the 1999, 2000 and 2001 World Championships. She received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence. She hopes to study medicine and become a doctor.