Former Olympian ‘Forever Grateful’ for God’s Goodness in Adoption

Published: March 27, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 02: Scott Hamilton addresses the crowd during the Legacy On Ice U.S. Figure Skating Benefit at Capital One Arena on March 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

By Movieguide® Contributor

Former Olympic gold medal figure skater Scott Hamilton recently reflected on God’s goodness through his adoption story.

posted a video on his Instagram account about his adoption story. In the video, Hamilton explains why he is grateful for the journey God took him on.

“I was in oops. I was unintended. You know, it’s always that thing with adoption, right? You know, there’s always that kind of a little bit of a disconnect of, I know I was unintended, but was I unwanted?” Hamilton began in an Instagram video.

He continued, “And, it’s really remarkable that now, all these 65 years later, you know, over the years, I really understood that God is in control, and he chose those parents for me. He convicted my birth mother to stay the course and to bring me into the world and to put me up for adoption, and she was brave and wonderful and awesome, and I’m going to be grateful for that, you know, for her bravery and generosity forever. And then I was adopted by two school teachers from northwestern Ohio, and they were the perfect parents for me.”

He added a special encouragement in the caption for others who were adopted: “Adopted, chosen, and deeply loved. Being adopted means you were wanted, and God handpicked the perfect parents for you. You matter more than you know.”

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A post shared by Scott Hamilton (@scotthamilton84)

Throughout his life, Hamilton turned to God when he faced challenges and used those moments to draw closer to his creator.

“In times I’ve endured a big challenge, change, or a period of suffering, I came to the realization that we all have three ways to forward. Succumb (bad choice). Adapt (logical but still giving up the quality of life). Evolve (made me stronger, better by the experience),” Hamilton wrote in a post on social media. “Let’s all do that!”

The figure skater decided early on he would choose to evolve, understanding that the “greatest challenges often shape the strongest versions of ourselves.”

Because of his belief in “The Power of Attitude,” Hamilton understands that “the only disability in life is a bad attitude — because with the right mindset, no obstacle is too big to overcome.”