A very impressive record, I agree.
I think the hype was over the top from the media about Michelle Kwan, but she has been classy and gracious in both defeat and victory.
Either we have seen different appearances, or you've seen more than me. My negative impressions were formed from Nagano, and nothing I've seen has changed them. I was deeply disappointed in her post-Nagano-competition behavior and have honestly been biased against her ever since.
She's been consistently the best US woman skater in the past eight years. I dislike haughty prima donnas.
I simply can't agree with that. Specifically, she was vastly inferior to Tara Lipinski at Nagano, and we've just seen her beat at SLC. Perhaps it's the "consistently". I can't claim to have seen every National and World's. Maybe that's what I've missed.
I think it is a style preference. I like the artistic style of skating, others prefer the more athletic style of the jumps. And I think that is where Michelle blew it for this Olympics. She didn't add the difficult jump (just ONE) to her program. I think she rested on her laurels and her presentation. At the 1998 US Nationals, Michelle was ethereal, one of the best programs I have ever seen skated. Technically, a notch below Tara, artistically, head and shoulders above Tara. But Michelle couldn't duplicate it at the Olympics. When Tara Lipinsky won her first Worlds medal over Michelle, it was well deserved. Michelle's Sheraherzade program was marvelous the first time it was performed a few years ago. She shouldn't have resurrected it for this Olympics.
Michelle Kwan needs to step back and refocus on what she really wants out of skating. She needs to up her jumping ability, but it may be too late at the Olympic level of competition. If Sasha Cohen lands a quad, then Michelle is left in the dust. She needs to get a coach and go pro after the Worlds...