Cohen admits bitterness of second place
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-25 21:29

TURIN, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Meet Sasha Cohen, figure skater turned philosopher.

Two days after a tumble robbed her of a chance for her first Olympic gold medal, the U.S. athlete acknowledged the pain of missing the top spot and tried to put it in perspective.

"An Olympic medal is a huge accomplishment in itself, but I was definitely disappointed in my skating," the 21-year-old Californian told reporters on Saturday.

"There will be some painful thoughts for a while."

On Thursday, Cohen entered the women's Olympic free skate in the lead. It took the American 20 seconds to crash to familiar ground. She ended up second.

On the night of the competition, one of the Games' most recognisable athletes played down her faux pas, saying: "It's one night, four minutes and a piece of metal."

But two days later she can acknowledge the agony of second place.

"It was definitely a disappointment to not come through with an Olympic dream," a stone-faced Cohen said. "But you know, it's part of life, it's a cycle and you have to be able to move on."

While still on the podium Cohen remains in the limelight, a place the disarming brunette from Newport Beach loves to be.

"I honestly love the attention and I love media," she said. "I love photo shoots and having fun with the media. Hopefully there will be lots of chances."

Since Thursday the media have mostly shown her stumble.

"I've seen a couple pictures of me falling -- you know, in the interviews they like to replay that. That was hard for me."

She says she wants to compete in the world figure skating championships in Calgary next month and will return to the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010 if her body permits.

"Bodies are fickle and things change. All I can do is take it day by day. I think I have a lot more to improve, a lot more to do. So I definitely wouldn't want to give up now."

What will she do when she returns home? "Get lots of sleep, relax, go shopping and have some sushi."