2/11/2006: Kwan bounces
Michelle Kwan bounced this morning in practice, and I laughed.. so sue me.
I've followed her progress more or less for years, back to when she was an extraordinarily gifted - and adorable - 13-year-old alternate on the Tonya/Nancy team in Lillehammer in 1994. She went on to compete in 1998 and 2002, winning silver & bronze respectively.. not exactly an improving record despite five world championships along the way.
So why is she back again for her third Olympics? It's not for the "experience" - this is actually her fourth round on that score. It's certainly not for the fame: watching NBC coverage you'd think she was the only US female athlete there. It's not for the money: her skating outfits are designed for her by Vera Wang, her boots are custom-made to her specifications, and she's already got endorsements and ads and a guaranteed future as a commentator, coach or media ice darling.
So what does that leave us with? It can't be the elusive Olympic gold medal: she's repeatedly declared over the years that "it's not about the medals".. yea, right.
Meanwhile, she's again taking up one of only three spots that some other deserving, talented, hard-working young skater will never get to fill. And that's why I laughed when I saw her bounce, and why I was happy to see her go up to her coach afterward with the same pouty, whiney look that Tonya had when she cried to the judges that her lace broke.
At a press conference after her disastrous practice this morning, Kwan blamed having had to sit out in the cold last night for her stiffness today. Wah-wah-wahhh. Odd that none of the other athletes blamed anything on being at opening ceremonies, including those that medaled or qualified in their sports today.
At that press conference she said she may not compete at all now, this after lobbying for and winning her spot in Torino with a special, private qualifying skate before a committee that convened especially for her. Enough pandering already! If she's too injured <koff> or more likely, too proud to go out there and take a chance that she'll come in last, then send her home. Somebody has to come in last, and the girls who aren't up to her standards are going to go out there and give it their all anyway, which is what the Olympic spirit is supposed to be about.
Step aside Michelle, and give somebody else a chance. In this case, that somebody else would be 16-year-old Emily Hughes, sister of 2002 gold medalist Sarah, who would join Sasha Cohen and Kimmie Meissner on the ice on February 21st & 23rd.
Update As of approx. 9am Sunday morning Torino time, there's an "unconfirmed report" that she's quit the team. Unlikely such a story would come out if untrue - we'll know soon enough, and then we put the Kwantroversy to rest and get on with things.
Update Yep it's official, she quit. She started Saturday saying her morning rehearsal was cut short because she didn't have her music, but 24 hours later she's saying it's because of a new injury. Too bad she can't just fess up and admit she's not up to the challenge anymore at the ripe old age of 25, but that's show biz.
Meanwhile, Emily Hughes is packing for the trip of her life. Go Emily!
