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Sunday, February 12, 2006

Michelle Kwan Withdraws

"For Kwan, the ultimate dream will never come true. She'll never win Olympic gold, but her impact on the sport will last forever.

posted by Michelle at 2/12/2006 11:06:00 AM

16 Comments:

  • I know shes in a lot of pain, and can't physically do it..but that's really messed up. She took someone else's spot on the team, stole their chance at an Olympic experience just to pull out due to an injury she knew going into the games could cause a major problem. I feel bad for her, but at the same time can't help but be a little bitter. Espeically because the girl whose spot she took was a Long Island girl.

    By Blogger Sarah, at 2/12/2006 11:55 AM  

  • I posted that before I meant to..haha. I hope that a week is enough for Emily to get all her stuff together and still skate well for us.

    Ok. now im done. :)

    By Blogger Sarah, at 2/12/2006 12:11 PM  

  • :( I feel terrible that she can't compete--she came so close the last two Olympics that it seems awful that she has to sit this one out, especially when shes won everything except for the gold. It will be interesting to watch Emily Hughes skate, though, having seen her sister win gold in 2002.

    By Blogger _cesca_, at 2/12/2006 1:06 PM  

  • the injury that she had yesterday was different than the groin one so she really thought she could pull it through

    By Blogger kat, at 2/12/2006 2:43 PM  

  • I feel so bad for her. We all know how much she wanted this, but it's good that she listened to what her body was telling her, rather than risking further injury...but I was wondering, I know they say that usually 25 is basically the final age for most ice skaters, but she can't compete in '10?? I know that there was this lady doing the luge, at 52, right?? I thought that's what I heard...hmmm??

    By Blogger Dorkster, at 2/12/2006 2:58 PM  

  • Sorry, just heard, it's a guy, not a lady, lol

    By Blogger Dorkster, at 2/12/2006 3:00 PM  

  • I'm pretty sure Emily Hughes is taking her spot (Sarah's younger sister), but there could have been a change.
    Yeah, I was never a huge fan of Michelle, but I really wanted her to get it this time. You have to give her credit, though, for not wanting to do a half-assed job through her injuries and having the guts to give up her dream. It's a shame to see her withdraw, but no one will ever forget her.

    By Blogger Meredith, at 2/12/2006 3:39 PM  

  • Oh, I thought Dorkster was talking about Michelle in that last post...but no, you're right. There is a lady from the Virgin Islands competing in the luge competition at age 52. She's called "Grandma Luge", which I think is amazing. Actually, I think there is a male luger who's the same age, like Dorkster was thinking, but yes, Grandma Luge is competing in her sixth Olympics. How awesome is that?

    By Blogger Meredith, at 2/12/2006 3:42 PM  

  • Michelle Kwan acted with a lot of class. It must be an exciting day over at the Hughes house in Long Island. Bet they're packing like mad. :) Hmm, wonder how expensive New York -> Turin tickets are with one day's notice? Yikes.

    By Blogger Dana Cara, at 2/12/2006 4:50 PM  

  • IMHO, Michelle didn't steal anyone's chance at anything. Emily Hughes still gets to go. By virtue of her contribution to the sport, her milliom national chamipinships and her umpteen world championships, she has earned her place.

    In '94 when Michelle was an alternate after Nancy Kerrigan got in on a medical bye, Michelle hauled butt up to Lillehammer on her own to train and be there just in case she was needed. If you're an alternate, like EH is, you're SUPPOSED to be ready. Further to that, the ladies skate is almost a week and a half away, she's got time.

    God! I can't believe I just defended Kwaaaaaan. It's a strange feeling.

    By Blogger Dana, at 2/12/2006 7:25 PM  

  • Michelle didn't make the choice to send herself to the Olympics, US Figure Skating made the decision because as nice as Emily Hughes is she doesn't really have much shot at a medal and even injured Michelle was landing as many jumps as Emily landed at Nationals healthy. It was the right decision to make, it just didn't work out. Emily has plenty of time to get to Italy and prepare herself. Some skaters aren't flying out until later this week by their own choice so that they don't disrupt their training schedules. It will be fine. I just feel so bad for Michelle.

    By Blogger Michelle, at 2/12/2006 8:41 PM  

  • I feel horrible for Michelle Kwan. I have always been a huge fan and have been lucky to see her skate live when she was touring w/ COI. My brother and I took my kids one year so of course, that memory will always be cherished for obvious reasons.
    I know that this is just breaking her heart but she has an awesome support system and tons of fans to see her through this. She will always be "Kwan the Kween" to my kids. :)

    By Blogger Maria, at 2/12/2006 9:01 PM  

  • I feel bad for her but she's had two trips to the Olympics. She may not win a gold now but she had the chance. I'm sure she's had alot of great experiences and memories. She can't feel too badly about that.

    By Blogger blairbecky, at 2/13/2006 7:26 AM  

  • Thanks Michelle for putting the article up. I always loved watching womens figure skaking and Michelle Kwan always made it looks so easy, beautiful and graceful.

    Do I feel sorry for her that she did not win Olympic Gold? Well, it is a shame, but as SHE puts it. "It is a beautiful sport and I have been lucky and very successful". Quite frankly, in the end she spent many years doing what she loved and being very successful at it. I encourage you guys to read the article again and see what she says. Don't get caught up with what the media is telling you about Olympics and Olympic "gold".

    I think the writer got it right by the end of the article. Missing one award will not hurt what this great woman figure skater has accomplished in her lifetime.

    By Blogger Mrs. H, at 2/13/2006 10:06 AM  

  • I'm sorry about M. Kwan, it must be really hard for her.
    But like Mrs H said, she had a great career and even if it was not gold, she got the opportunity to be at an Olympic Game, something most of us dream about doing in the sport we train in, but never got to. I hope that wherever she is, she knows she was loved and cherished.

    By Blogger Lena, at 2/13/2006 5:24 PM  

  • I am glad that things went the way they did for Michelle on all levels. Although I am sorry she couldn't compete. What I mean is, if she had been perfectly healed, she should have been chosen for the team. She was. She either reinjured or was not as fit as she though and she quit in time for Emily Hughes to skate. I hope that people see from this that Olympic Gold is not all there is. She has been fortunate enough to channel dedication to her sport and talent to represent her country on many occasions. She has Olympic medals. And World Champion titles. She has also skated for herself in Nationals repeatedly. She holds national titles. We should be very proud of the career she has had as a competitive athlete. Things happen at Olympics that are surprizing and shocking. Midori Ito, Sarah Hughes. Shocking and unexpected things. I don't think Michelle would have gotten gold. But like I said... Strange things happen at the Olympics.The poor girl was under so much pressure to get gold. I think she handled herself with alot of class. My only hope is that she remembers the Olympic Creed and believes it. Not the media Hype.

    By Blogger lala, at 2/14/2006 12:15 AM  

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