GREAT NECK, N.Y. -- Olympic figure skating champion Sarah
Hughes will get a rousing welcome home from neighbors, classmates
and friends Sunday with a parade through town and rally at her high
school.
Gov. George Pataki, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Rep.
Gary Ackerman have been invited to attend, although speeches by
politicians will be limited to one minute, said Richard Arenella,
superintendent of the Great Neck parks department.
"This day is about Sarah," he said. "It was planned long
before Sarah left for Salt Lake City. The fact that she won a gold
medal makes it a big media event, but for us it's about honoring
Sarah."
The parade will end up at Hughes' school, Great Neck North High
School.
The 16-year-old Hughes won the free skate portion of the
competition at the Salt Lake City Games last week and moved from
fourth to first place to take the gold medal. Irina Slutskaya won
the silver, and favored Michelle Kwan took the bronze.