Career

Babilonia and Gardner began skating together when Babilonia was eight years old and Gardner was ten. Their coach from 1972 until 1980 was John Nicks. The pair became five-time U.S. national champions and won the gold medal at the 1979 World Championships. They were medal favorites at the 1980 Winter Olympics but were forced to withdraw due to an injury to Gardner.

Babilonia was the first figure skater of partial African American descent to compete for the United States at Olympics and win world titles. She is also part Filipino on her father's side and part Native American.

In 1990, a biographical film of her rise to fame was aired on television, "On Thin Ice: The Tai Babilonia Story".

Babilonia appeared in the 2006 Fox television program Skating with Celebrities, partnered with Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner.

Tai currently appears as a "co-host" with host Ken Boxer on the television interview talk show, "Ken Boxer Live." The show originates in Santa Barbara, California on TVSB Channel 17.

Personal

Tai Babilonia was inspired at the age of six to begin ice skating after watching Peggy Fleming on television. Babilonia has a son named Scout with former husband Cary Butler. She was engaged to actor/comedian David Brenner, but they never married before his death in March 2014.

Competitive highlights

(with Gardner)

Event	1973-74	1974-75	1975-76	1976-77	1977-78	1978-79	1979-80
Winter Olympic Games			5th				WD
World Championships	10th	10th	5th	3rd	3rd	1st
U.S. Championships	2nd	2nd	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st
Nebelhorn Trophy	1st
Coupe des Alpes	3rd

[ Source: Wikipedia ]