Christian Olympic Gold Medalist Gives Fantastic Life Update

Published: November 7, 2025

By Mallory Mattingly

Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton doesn’t let his brain tumor stop him from living the life God has for him.

In 1997, Hamilton was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He went on to treat that with chemotherapy and surgery. In 2004, the figure skating legend received a pituitary brain tumor diagnosis, which would be removed with surgery. Hamilton faced another brain tumor diagnosis in 2010 and 2016, but in 2016, he decided not to have the tumor removed.

“Life is great,” Hamilton told PEOPLE of his current health. “I’m living fully, living healthy, living without restriction.”

He added: “I mean, I’m on medication for the rest of my life — but that’s okay. I always say there are two types of people on the planet: Those that will one day be on medication, or those that are already on medication.”

Throughout his battles with cancer over the last 27 years, Hamilton focused on helping people like him. He founded the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, which invests in “cutting-edge research that reduces debilitating side effects and supports the whole person — during treatment and throughout survivorship. Our goal is to extend and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.”

“Everything I’ve learned, everything I’ve seen, everything I’ve witnessed, everything that I believe to be true says that there’ll be a time, probably in my lifetime — and I’m 67, so it’s not like I’ve got decades and decades left — is that there will be a day where no one dies of cancer,” Hamilton said in the interview with PEOPLE.

“I mean, I’ve been given endlessly. I was an unintended, unwanted, unexpected pregnancy, and I was given life,” he continued. “I was put up for adoption and I was given parents and my parents sacrificed unconditionally to me to make sure that I had everything I need in order to prepare for my life on my own. And they did that sacrificially and endlessly…all I can do is now is give back in every way I possibly can.

“I’m just so humbled and honored and proud of the work we’ve been able to do. It’s just been extraordinary,” he emphasized.

Hamilton is ready to host his ninth annual Scott Hamilton & Friends fundraiser on Nov. 23 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Hamilton & Friends will see “Olympic, World, and National Champion Figure Skaters, alongside the biggest names in music.”