Who Needs a Gold Medal? Feh!
I was extremely saddened to hear that Michelle Kwan withdrew from the Olympics. She brought an air of grace and incredible elegance to both figure skating and sportsmanship. Sadly, the lack of Gold will always be a shadow on her brilliant and dominant career.
I remember watching Michelle at the National Figure Skating Championship in 1994, amidst the Nancy/Tonya ordeal. She was as gangly and awkward as any 14 year old growing into her body could be - but there was undeniable talent. Throughout her career, Michelle accumulated 43 Championships, including a record tying 5 World Championships and 9 U.S. National Championships. She was always poised and undeniably elegant.
The Gold eluded her first with Tara Lipinski (1998) and then with Sarah Hughes (2002). Michelle, the front runner both times, ended up second and third respectively. She received a bye this year due to injury, an interesting bookend to the fact that she was kept off the Olympic team in 1994 due to Nancy Kerrigan's inability to skate at Nationals.
Given Tonya's problems, Oksana's problems, and Surya's attitude problems, it was always refreshing to watch a performer who truly loved what she did and did it without scandal or being a diva. Last night, Michelle did the classiest thing ever ... she cut short her Olympic dream because she wasn't ready. She sacrificed her spot to ensure the best U.S. team possible, knowing full well that history will remember her as the "greatest skater ever, but ..." But history will also remember that after winning Gold in 1994, Oksana went to hell. After winning Gold in 1998, Tara all but dropped off the map. After winning the Gold in 2002, Sarah retired and went to college (ok, a noble thing but still ...).
Even without a Gold Medal, Michelle will always embody grace, elegance, and humility long after the Taras, Sarahs, Nancys, and Tonyas are forgotten. I wish I had 1/8th of her class.
I remember watching Michelle at the National Figure Skating Championship in 1994, amidst the Nancy/Tonya ordeal. She was as gangly and awkward as any 14 year old growing into her body could be - but there was undeniable talent. Throughout her career, Michelle accumulated 43 Championships, including a record tying 5 World Championships and 9 U.S. National Championships. She was always poised and undeniably elegant.
The Gold eluded her first with Tara Lipinski (1998) and then with Sarah Hughes (2002). Michelle, the front runner both times, ended up second and third respectively. She received a bye this year due to injury, an interesting bookend to the fact that she was kept off the Olympic team in 1994 due to Nancy Kerrigan's inability to skate at Nationals.
Given Tonya's problems, Oksana's problems, and Surya's attitude problems, it was always refreshing to watch a performer who truly loved what she did and did it without scandal or being a diva. Last night, Michelle did the classiest thing ever ... she cut short her Olympic dream because she wasn't ready. She sacrificed her spot to ensure the best U.S. team possible, knowing full well that history will remember her as the "greatest skater ever, but ..." But history will also remember that after winning Gold in 1994, Oksana went to hell. After winning Gold in 1998, Tara all but dropped off the map. After winning the Gold in 2002, Sarah retired and went to college (ok, a noble thing but still ...).
Even without a Gold Medal, Michelle will always embody grace, elegance, and humility long after the Taras, Sarahs, Nancys, and Tonyas are forgotten. I wish I had 1/8th of her class.
posted by Happy Chicken at 5:59 PM
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