These are my random musings. Hopefully they will be witty, insightful, and frequently updated.
Published on February 12, 2006 By singrdave In Olympics


First, Michelle Kwan foisted herself upon the Olympic team without needing to try out at Nationals: "I'm Michelle Kwan, biatch!"
By insisting on a medical waiver to get onto the team, she told the other competitors that she was too good for the Olympic trials.

Next, she toys with the Olympic team again, by announcing that she's pulling out of the competition. Apparently she injured herself (medical waiver anyone-maybe she'll get the gold by waivering herself to glory!) and cannot compete...

From Yahoo! News:

TURIN (Reuters) - American Michelle Kwan pulled out of the Winter Olympics on Sunday after suffering a groin injury during practice. Kwan, a five-times world champion, sustained a groin strain on Saturday at the Palaghiaccio practice ice rink in Turin, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) said.

"Taking myself off the team is the most difficult decision I've ever had to make but it's the right decision," Kwan said in a statement.

"This injury prevents me from skating my best and I've said all along that if I couldn't skate to the level that I expected from myself I'd withdraw from the team."

Her withdrawal will now allow Emily Hughes, sister of 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes, to participate in the women's competition which begins on February 21.

Hughes finished third at last month's U.S. nationals but was controversially left out of the Olympic team when Kwan successfully received a medical waiver to participate at the Games despite missing the nationals with a previous groin injury.

"The Olympics is the greatest sporting event in the world and what's most important is that the United States fields the strongest team possible," said Kwan, who was seen to struggle during a training session on Saturday before announcing her withdrawal.


Thanks again for the added drama, Michelle. Nice legacy.
Remember 2002, where Svetlana Khorkina was regarded as a giant bitch? Well, guess we found 2006's.


Comments (Page 2)
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on Feb 14, 2006
Nancy Kerrigan bumped Michelle out of the Olympic's waaaay back in the 90's with an injury bypass....this Olympics was Michelles last chance to be a contender, and the Olympic committee certainly made every effort to give her an opportunity, and rightly so.

I commend her for both actions; seeking her place on the team, and stepping down to give Hughes the opportunity when her on effort could not be sustained.

Pure class from an athlete is so rare.
on Feb 14, 2006
PS,

Good for you to recant, and admit an initial wrong judgement, you don't see much of that anymore either
on Feb 14, 2006
There was still a week and a half until the women's skating starts. It's no biggie that Emily was at home... it's nto as if she'd have had to rush onto the ice to help a fallen Kwan.


I think you missed my point. Until Kwan backed out, Emily was not planning to go to Torino. At least that was what they said on the news the other day.
on Feb 14, 2006
---When you are an alternate you still go and you still have to be ready to skate in case there IS a injury to a skater. I

While I agree with most everything else you said, this isn't totally true. Emily Hughes was not in Torino--she was in Long Island and was snowed in.---

Shades, maybe I didn't explain myself better. I never said Emily Hughes was in Torino. My point was if you are a alternate you are allowed to be there, in case there is a injury. I felt she should've gone just for the experience. Now the experience she will get will just help her when she will be one of the favorites 4 years from now.
on Feb 14, 2006
Ditto to what dynosar said! It's truly refreshing when someone admits to being
wrong, and awesomely mature.
I'm such a fan of Michelle Kwan's, watching her is like watching a bird in flight.
Thanks SingrDave!
on Feb 15, 2006
Yes, Michelle Kwan did go through the entire qualifying process and made the Olympic team, but was replaced by Nancy Kerrigan.

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