Michelle Kwan questionable for Olympic competition

San Jose Murky News ^ | Feb. 11, 2006 | Tom Powers

[Michael.SF.]

TURIN, Italy - The impending figure skating train wreck has left the station.

Figure skater Michelle Kwan, granted a medical exemption into the Olympics, may wind up withdrawing. She struggled through her practice on Saturday morning, later complaining of stiffness. In fact, she didn't even perform her routines.

"I really have to pay attention to how I am feeling these days. Dropping out, it's not something I want to do, but I have to listen to what my feelings are." This could lead to another melodramatic, Olympic figure skating type moment. Many were buzzing about her poor practice and health issues Saturday.

Kwan has said she won't compete if she isn't completely healthy. However, she is proceeding as if the stiffness is a result of cold weather during the Opening Ceremony. "Sitting outside for four hours wasn't too good for my body," she said.

Asked why she would put herself through that, she replied: "You try to bring enough things to wear. But it's a great experience and I didn't want to miss it."

She petitioned the U.S. Figure Skating Association for a medical bye into Turin. After giving a private performance for a five-member monitoring panel, Kwan last month was granted the exemption. Several reports indicated that Kwan's performance before the panel wasn't all that good. But she has become the face of U.S. figure skating and it is likely that sentiment played a large part in her being cleared to compete.

She joins Sasha Cohen and Kimmie Meisner on the U.S. team. Emily Hughes was bumped back to alternate. We may yet see her.

[freedumb2003]

WWBBD

LOL!

[Michael.SF.]

I really don't feel like having to watch a sixteen-year-old sobbing because she fell two times in her program and ended up in seventeenth place.

Really? That's why I watch it. ;)

Well, that and my wife likes it.

[CaptainK]

They have revamped the scoring system, so it will be harder for her to rest on her laurels.

[solitas]

Oh boy, more drama. Now if she could pull down a perfect score on a broken ankle...

…bone poking out, arm in a sling, eyepatch, sniffles - the newsers will blow it all out of proportion fifteen-ways-from-Sunday.

[Accygirl]

That's kind of mean :(. Frankly, I feel sad when these little girls get put on the team and really suck (like both Kimmie and Emily). It must be horrible for their self-esteem to end up. And they get criticized relentlessly by the sports writers after that. Plus, as a viewer, I don't want to watch Americans screw up at the Olympics; I always look at the results beforehand and plan my viewing schedule around the events where they win or at least medal in.

I really don't think that if Michelle Kwan decides to drop out, Emily Huges shouldn't be sent over there to be a glorified tourist. Hell, I would be okay if they didn't send Kimmie Messigner over there. I don't want to have to watch either of them on my T.V. come the ladies program. (Or perhaps I'm just PO'd by the fact that the U.S. women suddenly suck in what was their strongest event).

[Aaron0617]

..and just breaking from www.msnbc.com Kwan pulls out.

[Accygirl]

Ugh... I know I can't even watch the ladies' program now. Kimmie and Emily are just BAD... (You'll see what I mean come the 21st).

[Always Right]

I think she already withdrew, according to another story.

[Michael.SF.]

I think she already withdrew.

Yes, she withdrew after that story was posted.