Should Michelle Kwan Automatically Go to the Olympics?

[HoneyPooh]

I'll admit to not knowing all the ins and outs of the rules for petitioning so I'm going to ask for a little more info from those that do know. I understand that you can petition to be on the olympic team due to injury, but are there any rules about the injury itself? For instance, does it have to be an injury you received right before Nationals or does it make a difference that it's an injury that has kept you out of most competition all season? Does it matter the seriousness of the injury? Would having the flu count as an injury ever? Just wondering if they have any guidlines that they follow about the length of the injury's impact on the athletes season or what consitutes an actual injury.
Thanks to those in the know who can help me out!

 

[castleview]

Ok, let's say a kid does very well in high school his first three years and then decides he doesn't want to do any work or gets sick during his senior year. Should we ignore the top three ranked students and place him above them because he's been a great student up until now? I think not.

I'm sorry but this is a sport and all placements, whether on a team or a medal stand, should be earned on the competition floor. Michelle is a great skater and will probably make the team if she just gets out there.

I judge gymnastics and the best kid in the state got hurt right before state championships. Yes, it stinks but it happens. Sports are supposed to teach us to deal with circumstances thrown at us. How can we learn these values if we arrange things specifically for one person?

 

[John VN]

Just saw on the news that she got on the team.

 

[ugadog99]

Guess you know what I think. I don't want to get involved in the debate, but I am thrilled the committee did the right thing.

 

[va32h]

Too long has she tried to win it and never done it.

Twice is too long? Irina Slutskaya - who won the Gold Medal at the last Olympics, has been competing longer than Kwan, and Salt Lake City was her 3rd Olympics. She was written off by many after illnesses and lousy seasons.

Ok, let's say a kid does very well in high school his first three years and then decides he doesn't want to do any work or gets sick during his senior year. Should we ignore the top three ranked students and place him above them because he's been a great student up until now? I think not.

I really don't see how this is an apt comparison. The USFSA has long-held procedures in place for exactly this type of situation - a qualified skater who has been injured and cannot compete at Nationals.

Michelle followed the procedure. She will be monitored by USFSA officials and have to prove to them she is healthy enough to go.

Kimmie Meissner and Emily Hughes are not "top ranked". Michelle's scores from the 2005 Worlds were higher than either of their scores at Nationals. Meissner and Hughes have no chance at making the podium at the Olympics, and honestly, very little shot at making the top ten. Hughes in particular has a plodding style that is not going to please international judges at all.

In figure skating, the skaters who are most likely to place well at the Olympics are the ones put on the team. Yes, it stinks (for Emily Hughes), but it happened.

I understand that you can petition to be on the olympic team due to injury, but are there any rules about the injury itself?

Yes, it does matter. Nicole Bobek petitioned to be placed on the World team and was turned down, in part because her injury was sustained while she was skating in a show tour, not in competition or training for competition.

I don't think having the flu would be a valid reason to skip a competition, unless the skater were hospitalized or something extreme.

And to answer all the "brave Sasha and Kimmie, skating through the flu" comments; "battling a cold/the flu" is the standard excuse for any skater who doesn't perform up to snuff. Meissner appears to be young and innocent, so she probably did really have a cold. But Sasha is known for choking at the last minute - I have no doubt that her "flu" was a prepacked excuse in case she did it again.

I feel that some people in sports these days feel like their name should get them exactly what they want..bad example for my impressionable young children, IMHO.

Michelle Kwan is a wonderful example for children. I can only assume you know nothing about her career up to this point, for you to make that statement.

And she did follow the rules. The USFSA is NOT making an exception just for her. ANY eligible skater with an injury could similarly petition. Other skaters in the past have been placed on the Oly team in the exact same way.

Kwan is NOT breaking any rules of any kind.

 

[skiwee1]

Well she's on. Unfortunately it looks like another non winning year for us.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

I wasn't happy when they let Nancy K go in the 90's and don't like that they are letting Michelle go now. She wasn't there, she shouldn't go! End of story!

 

[Doctor P]

I think the fair solution would have been to put Michelle Kwan on the team BUT used the discretion of the Figure Skating Association to set the team by ASSURING that whoever was bumped off the team was on the 2010 team. The bumped skater earned an Olympic berth and should get the opportunity to compete, even if it is in 2010.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I kind of wanted Emily Hughes to make it. My dad was just talking about this, and even though Michelle Kwan got the bid, if she's not at 100% she will withdraw and give her spot to Hughes.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It seems that not everyone is undertstanding of the procedure.

Michelle followed procedure and made it. She's not pulling a crying fit like Tanya and complaining her lace broke on her skate for pete's sake!

Good for her. And if she is not 100%, I hope she does give her spot up. Ultimate sportsmanship!

 

[Doctor P]

Lisa,

To me it would be different if Michelle had skated several times under the new judging system. We really don't know how competitive she will be EVEN AT HER BEST. Yes, she followed procedures to appeal to be placed on the team. She didn't cheat in asking. But that doesn't mean she should be placed on the team, necessarily.

 

[Ziva]

I like Michelle but I think she's going to get her her butt kicked under the new system and that's a sad way to go out.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I don't think it is that people don't understand the procedure - the OP asked for our opinion of whether or not it is FAIR to allow her on the team - not whether we think she broke any rules or didn't follow the procedures --

just whether or not it is fair that she gets put onto the team if she didn't compete in nationals. "Fair" is a pretty subjective term.

 

[cheerbop]

Ok, let's say a kid does very well in high school his first three years and then decides he doesn't want to do any work or gets sick during his senior year. Should we ignore the top three ranked students and place him above them because he's been a great student up until now? I think not.

I'm sorry but this is a sport and all placements, whether on a team or a medal stand, should be earned on the competition floor. Michelle is a great skater and will probably make the team if she just gets out there.

I judge gymnastics and the best kid in the state got hurt right before state championships. Yes, it stinks but it happens. Sports are supposed to teach us to deal with circumstances thrown at us. How can we learn these values if we arrange things specifically for one person?

Thanks for your input and opinion...
I COMPLETELY agree with you. I also am a judge for things (cheerleading, dance, etc...at local up to Nationals levels) and feel it has to be done on the floor , or, ice in this matter.

I am in NO way saying she doesn't have the talent to be on the team going to the Olympics, I just feel that in some situations in life it has to be judged on what happens DURING the actual competition.

No, I do not htink Emily Hughes is a better skater than Michelle at THIS time, BUT, I also did not feel that Sarah Hughes would win Olympic Gold when she did!

 

[JennyMominRI]

I like Michelle but I think she's going to get her her butt kicked under the new system and that's a sad way to go out.

She came in 4th last year at world sunder the new system. Not her usual stuff,but not really a butt kicking. 4th in the world... I highly doubt that even the second seeded American on the team(Mesinser) has a shot at 4th or better. The Bronze Medalist at the Nationals would probably come in close to 10th at the Olympics .Michelle can place to 5 or better.. I say,who knows what she capable of this year with the pressure off.

 

[JennyMominRI]

No, I do not htink Emily Hughes is a better skater than Michelle at THIS time, BUT, I also did not feel that Sarah Hughes would win Olympic Gold when she did!

I like Emily and liked Sarah. Emily is not as developed at this time as Sarah was in 2002.
If Slutskaya is on,noone will be able to touch her

 

[cheerbop]

Michelle Kwan is a wonderful example for children. I can only assume you know nothing about her career up to this point, for you to make that statement.

And she did follow the rules. The USFSA is NOT making an exception just for her. ANY eligible skater with an injury could similarly petition. Other skaters in the past have been placed on the Oly team in the exact same way.

Kwan is NOT breaking any rules of any kind.

Well, actually, you are completely wrong about my knowledge of figure skating and her career. I myself used to be a skater and for you to assume I know nothing just because I have a different opinion than you is presumptuous (sp?).

I respect your opinion just as you should respect mine. I said earlier in that same post that I DO feel Michelle is an excellent skater...she has a great winning history. But, I do feel and have always felt, that earning a medal or place on a team (in this case the Oly team) should be earned during the actual competitions leading up to it. It is very sad that Michelle is injured and felt she couldn't compete at Nationals. Didn't she compete just a month ago somewhere??? Maybe I am incorrect in this?

Yes, there may be recourse for those who are injured or whatever to petition the comittee and ask for a bye, or exception....she may have followed those rules and proper channels, GOOD for her....BUT, just because those rules exist doesn't mean I personally agree with them....
again, just my opinion, and also apparently many others on this thread--earn it in actual competitions leading up to it.

Michelle is a good example for many children in looking at her excellent career, etc. I did not say she wasn't in that aspect.
BUT, it is this particular situation I do not agree with. JMHO, and I am allowed it, as you are yours. Let's just agree to disagree. I have friends who agree with me on some issues and some who disapgee on some issues...Such is life for all of us.

I wish our Olympians the best of luck...

 

[cheerbop]

I wasn't happy when they let Nancy K go in the 90's and don't like that they are letting Michelle go now. She wasn't there, she shouldn't go! End of story!

Well put..short and sweet!

 

[cheerbop]

I like Emily and liked Sarah. Emily is not as developed at this time as Sarah was in 2002.
If Slutskaya is on,noone will be able to touch her

I agree with you on this...Slutskaya can be untouchable when she is at her best.
Regarding Sarah, I liked her alot, but didn't expect gold out of her at that time....she did a great job! Right routine with all the right stuff at the exact RIGHT time! That was GREAT for her...
off the subject a tad..is she engaged? I thought I saw a rock on her finger last night??

 

[rigs32]

Sasha is known for choking at the last minute - I have no doubt that her "flu" was a prepacked excuse in case she did it again.

After the competition was over, Sasha was asked in an interview if she was happy with her performance given that she hadn't skated a long program in eight days. C'mon. Would she have not practiced for 8 days simply to give weight to her flu excuse? With an Olymipic birth on the line, I doubt it.