Former US Olympic skier's spirit shines through

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FILE - In this Feb. 6, 1984, file photo, American Olympic downhill skier Bill Johnson, of Van Nuys, Calif., balls up for faster flight through the air at Mt. Bjelasnica, during the third training run for the Winter Olympic alpine skiing events, near Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. A series of strokes over the past few years have all but immobilized Johnson, the skier who once lived life on the edge. His brash confidence, movie-star charisma and rebellious attitude made him a fan favorite at the 1984 Olympics, when he became the first American to capture the downhill crown.

Michel Lipchitz, File, Associated Press