Should Michelle Kwan Automatically Go to the Olympics?

[cardaway]

I think it takes "something I can't type on the Disboards " to basically say "I'm a better skater than the 3 that will be chosen, even though they haven't skated yet, so I should get a spot."

Didn't skate?

They don't even make it to the deciding event unless their skating over the prior years earned them a spot. IMO it's crazy that in a judged, individual sport, one event decides everything.

If this was a annual event I would agree, but obviously it's not. In this case we're talking somebody who without the injury would be the odds on favorite to place in the event. It does nothing but hurt the team to not let her go.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

It does nothing but hurt the team to not let her go.

but skating isn't a team sport. The other "team members" who are skating don't receive lower scores because Michelle Kwan isn't on their team.

All I can say is - if you are going to decide who gets to go to Olympics based soley on reputation, then don't act all shocked and claim "unfair unfair" when the Olympic judges give out medals based on reputation and NOT on who actually skates the best at the Oympics.

Where are you going to draw the line?

 

[scubamouse]

If the annoying Nancy Kerrigan got to go when injured, Michelle should get to go,

remember kerrigan thought disney was corny

 

[cardaway]

but skating isn't a team sport. The other "team members" who are skating don't receive lower scores because Michelle Kwan isn't on their team.

That's odd, then what are all the medal counts about then?

All I can say is - if you are going to decide who gets to go to Olympics based soley on reputation, then don't act all shocked and claim "unfair unfair" when the Olympic judges give out medals based on reputation and NOT on who actually skates the best at the Oympics.

I agree. If anybody thinks who wins is based on anything but rep and politics they are going to blow a gasket when watching a intl competition based on the results of judges.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I feel like when I watch her skate, her programs all look just the same. I don't think she's evolved over the years. I know for awhile she went without a coach and I wondered if that hurt her to not have someone pushing her to learn and try new things. Just my unprofessional humble opinion! I wish she'd be happy with all the awards she does have instead of pushing for that gold which is so hard to obtain in such a subjective sport anyways...

 

[hemispheredancer]

As a parent of a competitive skater, I have mixed feelings about this. Michelle has been pretty healthy up until this injury. She has not competed much under the new CoP system (the 6.0 system is history!!) so she has little experience. I don't think she has the much needed triple/triple. She will be up against some tough competition at the Olys and it seems to be a shoe-in that Irina will win. Currently, Sasha Cohen is in 1st place after the short program at Nationals. Whoever comes in 3rd place on Saturday...I will feel sorry for them if Michelle's petition goes through. This 3rd place lady will have to be ready and prepared to compete in Torino if Michelle should back out do to her ongoing injury. If Michelle is unable to train right now, how will she be able to train and acquire her 3/3 and spin positions in a matter of a month for the Olys??

 

[JennyMominRI]

I think It's the US Olympics teams job to send the 3 best skaters in the US.. Cohen is a shoe in..IF they feel Kwan is one of the top 3 she should go.. Emily Hughes may very well not be ready. If they don't think Kwan is good enough at the time,she should stay home..She should e given a spot if she is one of the 3 best skaters,not because she was injured,or because she should get one last chance at the gold,or because she gets a pass based on past merits. I like Emily Hughes but franky,Michelle has tons more experienc ein high pressure situations(but not under the new rules) Frankly I'm not sure who should go. I'm glad there are professionals to make those decisions

 

[ead79]

I honestly don’t really know how I feel about it. The “fair” side of me says she should have to earn her spot just like everyone else. But the other side of me says she has earned the spot and would help out the entire team by being a part of it.

I was unaware of the new rules. Can someone tell me what they are?

 

[Donnask8pro]

Coming back from an injury at her level is not that difficult. The body creates Muscle Memory and is able to go right back into it. I believe she has a Triple lutz/ Triple toe combo. I realize its hard to understand but she has held the top spot for YEARS. Doesn't that show she capable?

The new rules are so hard to understand I couldn't even begin to explain. They are so much more complicated than the previous scoring. But quickly, they are put on a scale for each individual jump/spin. Lets say 4.0 than the scale begins -3, -2, or -1. But also has the ability to add to it and get plus3, plus2 or plus1. On top of that origional score. Thats not even the start of it.

http://usfsa.org/

http://www.usfigureskating.org/New_Judging.asp?id=280

 

[hemispheredancer]

Elisabeth, the new judging system is called CoP (Code of Points). There are many different factors that go into this scoring system. Here is a link to the USFS web page that explains it all. It is very complicated!!

http://www.usfigureskating.org/New_Judging.asp?id=280

 

[frozone]

NO!! Enough of Michelle Kwan, I actually think her quest for a gold medal is bordering on pathetic. If everyone else has to qualify, she should have to also.

JMO

Wow! Harsh! I have only admiration for an athlete like that who can compete at such a high level for so many years. Plus, from what I can she, she's not only graceful on the ice but also off, serving as a quality role model for lots of girl. Why shouldn't she continue to aspire towards the highest of goals in her sport? Isn't that the test of a true athlete?

 

[castleview]

Former gymnast here who is disgusted by the way USA Gymnastics has resorted to a selection process...hate to see ice skating do the same thing.

While Nancy Kerrigan's situation was unique enough to make an exception, I don't think Michelle should be petitioned on the team. We're not going to hold up the Olympics until she's healthy are we? We don't wave the best baseball players around the bases because they are the best. We don't advance the Williams sister straight to a tournament final because they are the best. Why should we wave Michelle Kwan past the nationals/trials because she is considered one of the best? The best competitors get it together when asked...not when things are right for them only.

I think we should all look back to 1992 when US Track and Field did not make an exception for Dan O'Brien. It preserved the integrity of their sport and Dan O'Brien became a better person, a record breaker, and eventually the 1996 Olympic Champion because of it.

Edited to add that I love Michelle Kwan. Plus she always seems to shine at Nationals then choke at the Olympics. Why would she give up her best meet?

 

[icebrat001]

I figure skated my entire life until I was around 19, I was 1 level under Michelle, Sasha, the rest of the girls, I got burned out. I know what these skaters have gone through, I know how difficult training is, I know how difficult training is. There is a new system now and Michelle hasn't skated in it very much at all. She's done less and less competitions lately, I think this was an important year to "prove" herself and show that she can hang in the new system and go against these young skaters doing triple triples and quad toes and sals. Michelle has never skated all that fast and these new girls whip around doing jump after jump, interested spins and excellent footwork. I'm not saying Michelle doesn't either.

In my opinion, the girls that place in the top 3 at nationals are the 3 that need to be seen on the Olympic team. But as Dick said, Michelle has done well year after year, people know her track record and although it's not supposed to that will probably be factored. Some of the girls that are at the top right now, are often up and down with their skating, and as Dick said, they want to choose winners.

I don't know how they are going to go on this.

 

[cardaway]

We don't wave the best baseball players around the bases because they are the best. We don't advance the Williams sister straight to a tournament final because they are the best. Why should we wave Michelle Kwan past the nationals/trials because she is considered one of the best?

Because one tennis tournament and baseball seasons are much different than a once in four years Olympic event.

 

[minniecarousel]

She absolutely should be allowed to go to the Olympics! This will be her last shot. If she were healthy and competing, she would place in the top three for sure. What's the problem?

 

[bananiem]

If she were healthy and competing, she would place in the top three for sure. What's the problem?

I'm not sure that she would.

 

[castleview]

Because one tennis tournament and baseball seasons are much different than a once in four years Olympic event.

Hi,

I can't agree with you there. Part of being an athlete is being healthy when it counts.

This may be overreaching and I really like Michelle Kwan...but I don't think this narcissistic, "wait for me, I'll compete as little as I have to" attitude is good for one's character. We see this on every level of sport - from the pros to little leaguers. Everyone is out for themselves. Compare the characters of Edwin Moses, Pablo Morales and Eric Heiden to today's Olympians.

 

[monarchsfan16]

No. She's had her chances. I hope she recovers soon, but she doesn't deserve special treatment in this case.

Thank you. I've been sick of her for years. Yes, she's competed forever, and that's something to be proud of, but it's been proven over and over again that there are other skaters better than her. Enough already. Take this injury as a sign and let the other girls have their chance.

 

[disykat]

It's not like she's skipping the competition for the heck of it. She is following the protocol if you have to miss the competition. If the judges deem her worthy, she should go. As long as she accepts their decision gracefully, whatever it is, I have no problem with her petition.

 

[Ziva]

I figure skated my entire life until I was around 19, I was 1 level under Michelle, Sasha, the rest of the girls, I got burned out. I know what these skaters have gone through, I know how difficult training is, I know how difficult training is. There is a new system now and Michelle hasn't skated in it very much at all. She's done less and less competitions lately, I think this was an important year to "prove" herself and show that she can hang in the new system and go against these young skaters doing triple triples and quad toes and sals. Michelle has never skated all that fast and these new girls whip around doing jump after jump, interested spins and excellent footwork. I'm not saying Michelle doesn't either.

In my opinion, the girls that place in the top 3 at nationals are the 3 that need to be seen on the Olympic team. But as Dick said, Michelle has done well year after year, people know her track record and although it's not supposed to that will probably be factored. Some of the girls that are at the top right now, are often up and down with their skating, and as Dick said, they want to choose winners.

I don't know how they are going to go on this.

Thanks for the "insiders view" icebrat001!