(NEXSTAR) - Tenley Albright, the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating, was honored recently at an event in Milan, Italy. The celebration marked 70 years since her historic 1956 victory in Cortina, Italy. Albright achieved her gold medal while competing in challenging outdoor conditions and overcoming a significant ankle injury sustained during practice. Since retiring from the sport, she has led a distinguished career as a surgeon and continues to be recognized as a foundational figure in the U.S. figure skating community. The tribute in Milan brought together multiple generations of skating legends to celebrate Albright's career. Attendees included fellow gold medalists Dorothy Hamill, Sara Hughes and Brian Boitano. Ilia Malinin, who is currently representing the U.S. in the 2026 Games, also attended the party held in Albright's honor. Albright reflected on how the Olympic environment has evolved since her competitive days in 1956. She noted the significant differences in the competitive atmosphere and physical setting compared to modern indoor arenas. "A lot has changed since the Olympics were in Cortina 70 years ago," Albright said. "And we had to skate outdoors, in the snow and wind." During her time in Cortina, Albright faced a major physical setback during a practice session. Her skate hit a rut in the ice, leading to a severe ankle injury that nearly prevented her from competing. "That made it tough for me because I couldn't even walk on it," Albright said. Despite the injury, she performed her routine and secured the gold medal. The 1956 champion also discussed the unique sense of community found within the Olympic Village. She recalled the feeling of entering the village and connecting with athletes from around the world. "Here I am, I don't know any of these people," Albright said. "We're from different countries. We speak different languages, but we're all here for the same reason and we're all part of a community. That's an exciting feeling you get every time you go to the Olympic Village." Albright's legacy in the sport is physically recognized at the Skating Club of Boston, where the competition rink is named after her. After her skating career, she transitioned into a career as a surgeon. She described her enduring connection to figure skating as a form of personal freedom. "I am passionate about this sport," Albright said. "I've always wanted to fly and that's the closest I can get." As she watched modern skaters perform on the Olympic stage in Italy, Albright spoke about the mental pressure inherent in the sport. She emphasized the importance of self-confidence for athletes competing at the highest level. "Somehow they have to believe in themselves to realize how good they are, because sometimes I don't think they realize how wonderful they are," Albright said. "And we probably don't either, because they make it look so easy." All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published