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Olympian Scott Hamilton on third brain tumor diagnosis: ‘I choose to celebrate life’

USA Today Sports

Olympic skater Scott Hamilton is best known for winning the gold in 1984, and his fighting spirit continues to shine even now in the face of a third brain tumor diagnosis, first identified earlier this year.

Hamilton has overcome two previous brain tumors (2004 and 2010) and beat testicular cancer back in 1997.

Clearly, this is a man who knows how to overcome adversity. And remarkably, he continues to exude an extraordinary sense of humor.

I have a unique hobby of collecting life-threatening illness,” the Stars on Ice cofounder said, per an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. “It’s six years later, and it decided that it wanted an encore.”

This latest tumor was discovered at a routine check-up, per PEOPLE.

At this point, Hamilton and his family — wife Tracie, 46, and his four kids: biological sons Aidan, 12, and Maxx, 8; and adopted children Jean Paul, 15, and Evelyne, 13 — still don’t yet know the full extend of what they’re up against. He is speaking with doctors and specialists around the nation in an effort to get as much information as possible before taking a next step.

“I’ll tell anybody that will listen: If you’re ever facing anything, get as many diagnoses as you possibly can,” he says. “The more you truly understand what you’re up against, the better decision you’re going to make.”

Despite what must surely be a difficult time, Hamilton has not stopped tending to his Scott Hamilton’s CARE Foundation, which will be putting on its Nashville Ice Show on Nov. 20 in Nashville, Tenn. Musician Sheryl Crowe and figure skating legend Brian Boitano will help raise money to fight cancer.

“I choose to truly — in everything that we do — celebrate life,” says Hamilton. ”

We wish Hamilton and his family well as they face what will surely be a trying time in the months to come.

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