Oksana Baiul had a short but spectacular amateur career, too. Sometimes you just have to play the cards that life deals you. It's not like the young athletes get to sit down and say, "Let's see, shall I go all out and try to win now or should I play it cool and aim for a longer career?"
There was a time (when you had to be an amateur to compete in the Olympics) when it was beneficial to turn pro. I expect many people here are too young to remember. I can't remember if it would have affected Tara. Am somewhat more sure it would have affected Oksana.