Kwan pulls out of olympics

[Missy1961]

It's a good thing that the competition isn't until next week. If Emily Hughes is here on LI, there is no way she could fly to Italy today.

 

[ugadog99]

While we are very saddened by Michelle's decision, we wish the very best for Sasha, Kimmie, and Emily. As usual, Michelle Kwam is the epitome of grace and class under pressure. I feel so sad for her.

 

[declansdad]

She has been an amazing skater and will continue to be so but she should never have been there in the first place. That is the problem with figure skating, you are not judged solely on your performace but also on what you have done in the past.

From what I read her "special" try-out wasn't that good and if she was hurt that bad she would have to know that she would not be ready in such a short time period.

 

[HonestAbe]

I personally dont think it is sad. She's had a great career and as an athlete she understands the risk of getting injured. I am honored that she is an American and there were few who were even in her class on the ice.

Now she'll move onto the REAL big show.
Disney's Monsters. Inc. on Ice. She's going to be Sal.

 

[Poohnatic]

It's a sad situation. Michelle once again has showed class and dignity. Her respect for the team is clear in that she's dropping out now to give Emily more time to get to Italy and practice.

Suzanne

 

[clh2]

I must add,Emily has handled the whole situation with grace and maturity. I wish her wel!

Michelle's withdrawal reminds me of when Randy and Tai had to withdraw from the pairs Olympics oh so many years ago. It is really hard to see accomplished athletes withdrawing when you know they would rather be competing!

 

[DisTeach1]

It's too bad she insisted on competing in the first place, and looked for an exception for herself in order to get to the Olympics. It's too bad that Emily will always be known as the alternate and missed her chance to walk into the stadium with the other athletes because of Michelle's blindsided stubbornness. I've lost a lot of respect for Michelle, as you can tell. She should never have gone to begin with.

 

[rascalmom]

I'm sad for Michelle. It was the US Figure Skating Committee's responsibility to send our best 3 skaters. Only the 1st place winner from national's is assured a spot based on that competition - the rest are selected by the committee. If not for Michelle's placement at World, the US would not have qualified to send 3 skaters anyway. She earned the spot. Too bad this injury is keeping her from skating. She was always the epitomy of grace on the ice & now she is demonstrating that same grace with her decision.

Good luck US skaters! Thank you Michelle for giving us so many wonderful years to watch your extreme talent.

 

[momof2inPA]

She made the best decision for the Olympic team. I wonder how she was able to perform for the US Olympic committee to qualify for a place on the team but was unable to stay healthy for the Olympics. Maybe she re-injured.

 

[trip]

I suspect this isn't the end of her career. She'll almost surely turn pro, no?

I'm sure! The money will be too hard to turn down. And she has fans everywhere.

 

[icebrat001]

speechless...

 

[Alicnwondrln]

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/winter06/figure/columns/story?id=2328132
wonderful article about michelle

 

[minniecarousel]

So now all the Michelle-haters (there appear to be many here on the DIS) are happy.

Michelle did exactly what she said she'd do: she would bow out if she wasn't healthy enough to compete. There is still plenty of time for Emily to get to Italy & get ready. Emily will be able to walk into the stadium in 4 years at the next Olympics - as long as she's not a "One Hit Wonder".

 

[Honu]

So now all the Michelle-haters (there appear to be many here on the DIS) are happy.

Michelle did exactly what she said she'd do: she would bow out if she wasn't healthy enough to compete. There is still plenty of time for Emily to get to Italy & get ready. Emily will be able to walk into the stadium in 4 years at the next Olympics - as long as she's not a "One Hit Wonder".

I'm not a Michelle hater, but I don't believe any athlete who didn't win the right to be there should be awarded a place on the team because of past accomplishments or because it's their last chance for gold. It's sad, but those are the breaks. Athletes get injured.

 

[bicker]

My understanding is that the committee determined that Michelle Kwan was the third best skater -- better than Emily Hughes. That's their job; that's why it is a committee selection process for the second and third members of the team -- because people have good days and bad days, and if someone has a bad day at the Nationals, that shouldn't be allowed to hurt the team's chances in the Olympics. It's a fair process, since it is established well in advance.

 

[lulugirl]

I'm not a Michelle hater, but I don't believe any athlete who didn't win the right to be there should be awarded a place on the team because of past accomplishments or because it's their last chance for gold. It's sad, but those are the breaks. Athletes get injured.

I agree and did anyone here express hatred for Michelle??!!!

 

[LadyyRedd]

I'm not a Michelle hater, but I don't believe any athlete who didn't win the right to be there should be awarded a place on the team because of past accomplishments or because it's their last chance for gold. It's sad, but those are the breaks. Athletes get injured.

The only one who "wins" the right to be there is the first place finisher at Nationals. The other 1 (or 2, in this case, thanks to Michelle's placement at World's) are selected by the committee. They don't even HAVE to give the second place finisher at Nationals a spot on the Olympic team if they don't feel she is one of the best two/three to represent us at the Olympics.

Kimya

 

[Amlee]

That is sad for her. But I think Emily Hughes should have been there from the start.

AGREE!!

 

[rt2dz]

I'm not going to get into the should Michelle have gone in the first place debate. It is rare that the first three at nationals don't make up the whole olympic team. Only happened once before when Michelle was kicked for Nancy Karrigan (don't know if I spelled that right).

What I really wonder is how this is effecting Katy Taylor. She's second alternate after taking 4th at Nationals. She may really still have a chance if someone (hopefully not) gets injured. And she did so beautifully taking the gold at the last competition that aired last week.

 

[salmoneous]

but I don't believe any athlete who didn't win the right to be there

Um, except that she did win the right to be there. What makes you say she didn't?