Skating star Kristi Yamaguchi is appearing in a commercial supporting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Sponsored by Restore Our Future, a super-PAC allied with Romney, the ad touts his accomplishments as head of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Yamaguchi, who won a gold medal in figure skating in 1992 and served as a goodwill ambassador at the 2002 Winter Games, opens the commercial by saying, “As an athlete, you’re training your whole life for that one moment at the Olympics.”
Announcer: “But America’s Winter Olympics were mired in scandal and deficits. They turned to Mitt Romney.”
Fraser Bullock, chief operating officer of the 2002 Winter Games: “He faced a $400 million budget deficit and turned that around to a $100 million surplus.”
Announcer: “And after Sept. 11, Romney delivered the Olympics safe and secure.”
Jimmy Shea, 2002 gold medalist in skeleton: “Mitt gets things done. He changed my life.”
Yamaguchi: “Mitt Romney brought a huge sense of hope.”
Derek Parra, 2002 gold medalist in speed skating: “Mitt allowed athletes like myself to be able to realize our dreams.”
Yamaguchi contributed to Romney’s campaign this year and when he sought the GOP nomination in 2008. She also appeared with the former Massachusetts governor last February in Salt Lake City at a tribute to the 2002 Winter Olympics.
According to the Associated Press, Restore Our Future is spending $7.2 million to run the ad in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The ad will also air in Michigan and Wisconsin, and can be viewed on YouTube.