Sun Sentinel and Associated Press

One day after being sentenced to probation for her role in a New Jersey methamphetamine ring, former U.S. figure skating champion Nicole Bobek spoke on NBC's "Today" show about plans to change her life around.

"I've been given this opportunity to make a change and prove to myself that I can come out of this hole that I've dug myself into," Bobek told "Today" host Matt Lauer Tuesday from Lake Worth.

A New Jersey judge ordered Bobek Monday to spend five years on probation.

The 32-year-old Jupiter resident pleaded guilty in June to a charge of conspiring to distribute crystal meth. She was among 28 people accused last year of running a network that allegedly distributed $10,000 worth of methamphetamine per week.

Bobek told Lauer she made bad choices while going through a rough period following the deaths of people close to her. Now it's time to get back on the ice and reach out to others who are dealing with similar setbacks, she said.

"I've been given this chance to make a difference and hopefully help others who suffer from addiction problems," she said.

Bobek won the U.S. figure skating title in 1995. But her disappointing 17th-place finish at the 1998 Winter Olympics took a psychological toll on her, according to her lawyer, Sam DeLuca. Bobek had been skating since age 3, forgoing high school and even home schooling for the rigorous, cloistered world of professional training, DeLuca said.

"Here is girl whose star was shining ... and when the star went out, when the star started fading, she was not prepared,'' DeLuca said.

She then fell into "a sleazy world'' of drug addiction and bad influences, he said.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Ledoux argued for a sentence of a year in jail, saying Bobek was no innocent victim and was not a minor player in the drug ring.

Bobek, wearing a black and white dress with her blond hair in a French twist, choked up as she spoke of how sorry she was during sentencing, telling the judge that she was off drugs, holding a job and teaching children at the Special Olympics.

Superior Court Judge Kevin Callahan noted he had received letters on Bobek's behalf from former Olympic athletes, including JoJo Starbuck, and rock 'n' roll musicians he didn't name.

Callahan warned Bobek that she was at a dangerous crossroads and that a single parole violation or failed drug test could land her in prison for at least five years.

On the Today show, Bobek thanked the people who wrote letters on her behalf, and showed gratitude toward her mother.

"I want to thank God, and also my mother, who is my best friend, and who has been by my side through this whole ordeal," Bobek said.

Accompanied by her mother, Bobek applied to serve her probation near the family's Jupiter home. She was also ordered to perform 250 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine, plus additional court expenses.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Former U.S. figure skating champion Nicole Bobek was ordered to spend five years on probation for her role in a New Jersey methamphetamine ring, a sentence that she said would give her a chance to get her life back on track.

"Nothing but positive things can come out of this," Bobek said outside the Jersey City courtroom where she was sentenced Monday. "It's been a long 1 1/2 years. I'm looking to get back onto that ice."

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty in June to a charge of conspiring to distribute crystal meth. She was among 28 people accused last year of running a network that allegedly distributed $10,000 worth of methamphetamine per week.

The alleged leader of the group, Edward Cruz Jr., was sentenced last week to 16 years in prison.

Bobek, accompanied by her mother, applied to serve her probation near the family's Jupiter, Fla., home. She was also ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine, plus additional court expenses.

Bobek won the U.S. figure skating title in 1995. But her disappointing 17th-place finish at the 1998 Winter Olympics took a psychological toll on her, according to her lawyer, Sam DeLuca. Bobek had been skating since age 3, forgoing high school and even home schooling for the rigorous, cloistered world of professional training, DeLuca said.

"Here is girl whose star was shining ... and when the star went out, when the star started fading, she was not prepared," DeLuca said. She then fell into "a sleazy world" of drug addiction and bad influences, he said.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Ledoux argued for a sentence of a year in jail, saying Bobek was no innocent victim and was not a minor player in the drug ring.

Bobek, wearing a black and white dress with her blond hair in a French twist, choked up as she spoke of how sorry she was during sentencing, telling the judge that she was off drugs, holding a job and teaching children at the Special Olympics.

"I believe I can help others. I plan to change my life around and do something with it," she said.

Superior Court Judge Kevin Callahan noted he had received letters on Bobek's behalf from former Olympic athletes, including JoJo Starbuck, and even rock 'n' roll musicians he didn't name.

Callahan warned Bobek that she was at a dangerous crossroads and that a single parole violation or failed drug test could land her in prison for at least five years.

(This version CORRECTS a quotation to 'whose star was shining,' instead of 'whose start'.)

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Former U.S. figure skating champion Nicole Bobek was ordered to spend five years on probation for her role in a New Jersey methamphetamine ring, a sentence that she said would give her a chance to get her life back on track.

"Nothing but positive things can come out of this," Bobek said outside the Jersey City courtroom where she was sentenced Monday. "It's been a long 1 1/2 years. I'm looking to get back onto that ice."

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty in June to a charge of conspiring to distribute crystal meth. She was among 28 people accused last year of running a network that allegedly distributed $10,000 worth of methamphetamine per week.

The alleged leader of the group, Edward Cruz Jr., was sentenced last week to 16 years in prison.

Bobek won the U.S. figure skating title in 1995. But her disappointing 17th-place finish at the 1998 Winter Olympics took a psychological toll on her, according to her lawyer, Sam DeLuca. Bobek had been skating since age 3, forgoing high school and even home schooling for the rigorous, cloistered world of professional training, DeLuca said.

"Here is a girl whose star was shining ... and when the star went out, when the star started fading, she was not prepared," DeLuca said. She then fell into "a sleazy world" of drug addiction and bad influences, he said.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Ledoux argued for a sentence of a year in jail, saying Bobek was no innocent victim and was not a minor player in the drug ring.

Bobek, wearing a black and white dress with her blonde hair in a french twist, choked up as she spoke of how sorry she was during sentencing, telling the judge that she was off drugs, holding a job and teaching children at the Special Olympics.

"I believe I can help others. I plan to change my life around and do something with it," she said.

Superior Court Judge Kevin Callahan noted he had received letters on Bobek's behalf from former Olympic athletes, including JoJo Starbuck, and even rock 'n' roll musicians he didn't name.

Callahan warned Bobek that she was at a dangerous crossroads and that a single parole violation or failed drug test could land her in prison for at least five years.

Bobek, accompanied by her mother, applied to serve her probation near the family's Jupiter, Fla., home. She was also ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine, plus additional court expenses.

Published: Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 6:27 PM     Updated: Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 6:28 PM

Ice dancing and figure skating coach and choreographer Franklyn Singley won a gold and silver medal at the Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany.

He won gold for his solo creative free skate and silver for his solo spotlight program.

Singley, 40, also won a gold medal in 2006 for his free skate at the Gay Games VII in Chicago.

He is a member of the Pavilion Skating Club in Cleveland Heights. The Gay Games XIX are scheduled to be held in Cleveland in 2014.