Michelle Kwan (no spoilers!)

[VSL]

She's only 25 - so she'd be 29 for the next WO's.

Is that really too old to medal in the women's figure skating? Slutskaya (Bronze medalist) was 27 herself.

Anyone?

 

[CheshireVal]

Didn't Katarina Witt try that way back when?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

If a thread doesn't have spoilers in it, I don't read it.

Seriously, 29 is practically ancient in figure skating now. That's not to say she can't qualify and compete. But it would be an uphill battle for her. Look at the problems she's having with her body at 25.

Figure skaters start competing way too early and wear out their bodies too quickly.

 

[Crankyshank]

Wasn't the Italian skater Sylvia Fontana 29? I think it's possible she might try one more time but I don't think she would succeed. I think she's done too much damage to her body to be able to compete against younger and more energetic skaters. Especially considering the new scoring system.

 

[castleview]

Oooh! I can't remember her name, but there was a blonde Russian named Maria who won Worlds at 27...I'm pretty sure.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

No, I think that if she is willing to try and she could stay healthy, Michelle Kwan would be perfectly capable of competing at a high competition level for the next Olympics.

The problem is, Professional Skating and Competition Skating are two entirely different things. Professional Skaters on tour have a vested interest in keeping their bodies healthy so they can perform. They concentrate on artistry --- not triple jumps.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

29 is probably too old to be a serious contender but she could absolutely compete.

I do, however, find it supremely ironic that poor Michelle was ripped apart for being too old THIS year at 25, that she should retire, blah, blah, blah. The gold medalist is 24, the silver 21, the bronze 27. The 4th place finisher Fumie Suguri is 25.

The media should get their flipping facts straight before spewing their uninformed vitriol. It's unfortunate Kwan was injured, but had she been healthy, she absolutely belonged in Torino.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I do, however, find it supremely ironic that poor Michelle was ripped apart for being too old THIS year at 25, that she should retire, blah, blah, blah. The gold medalist is 24, the silver 21, the bronze 27.

I don't think Michelle Kwan was ripped apart for being too old. The problem was that she has been injured continuously for most of the past year and has not been able to compete due to those injuries. People did not think it was fair to the other skaters that she be given a "free pass" onto the Olympic team based mostly reputation.

 

[Deb in IA]

People did not think it was fair to the other skaters that she be given a "free pass" onto the Olympic team based mostly reputation.

Why do people keep saying that she was given a "free pass"?


She had to skate both her short and long programs before a panel of judges before she was allowed to be on the team.

 

[missypie]

I've read that the new scoring system, which rewards the big jumps, is going to shorten the careers of the competitive skaters, due to increased wear on the hips and groin.

I do think it is odd that so much was made of Michelle's age, when Irina, the hands down favorite, is years older.

What also boggles my mind is how hard they were on Sasha at the last Olympics...she already was being given grief for her repuation of never skating a clean program...yet if she is 21 now, she would have been 17 then. This time around, the 17 year olds were the little darlings, and excused of lots due to their lack of experience.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Why do people keep saying that she was given a "free pass"?

because that is my opinion.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I don't think Michelle Kwan was ripped apart for being too old. The problem was that she has been injured continuously for most of the past year and has not been able to compete due to those injuries. People did not think it was fair to the other skaters that she be given a "free pass" onto the Olympic team based mostly reputation.

Sorry, but I read plenty of articles that made a huge issue out of her age while not even bothering to mention Slutskaya. Just because you don't think Kwan was ripped apart for her age, doesn't make it so.

 

[Deb in IA]

because that is my opinion.

Ah, right. Never let facts get in the way of your opinion.