2008 Woodie Awards
Hopes of gold is gone for Kwan
Dana Cannizzaro
Issue date: 2/23/06 Section: A & E
- Page 1 of 1
Michelle Kwan, one of the brightest, most ambitious female figure skaters to grace the ice recently withdrew from the winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
Severely affected by straining and injuring her groin, Kwan first decided to withdraw from the U.S. Nationals back in early January. She still had a chance to join the ladies' Olympic figure skating team under the condition that she could prove that her injury had healed and her ability was up to Olympic standards.
It was only on Jan. 27 that Kwan performed a long and short program. Her performance qualified her to have a spot on the Olympic team despite her previous injuries that worried Olympic officials.
However, by Saturday, Feb. 11 Kwan's same injuries were affecting her capabilities on the ice. Later that day Kwan decided tp drop out of the winter games, leaving behind dreams of winning the gold, and fans who wanted to see it happen.
Replacing Kwan's spot on the team is Emily Hughes, sister of 2002's winter Olympics gold medalist, Sarah Hughes. Though fans are excited to see another U.S. figure skater to star in the winter Olympics, most are disappointed that it will not be Kwan.
"It makes me sad because it reminds me of when I pulled my groin. I feel her pain. Literally," said Ryan Fahy, senior, Watertown.
While most fans know that Kwan will never be forgotten in Olympic history, some just wanted to see her gracefully skate at the Olympics one last time.
"It seems like it's a disappointment to everyone because she is such an icon to all generation's Olympic experience," said Jaclyn Hines, senior, Port Jefferson, N.Y.
Olympic fans will now watch other figure skaters take home the gold at Torino.
In past Olympic competitions, Kwan had received the silver medal at Nagano in 1998 and in Salt Lake City she had placed third, winning the bronze medal.
"In the past winter Olympics that she has competed in she had been a very graceful and influential skater. Up and coming figure skaters will now have pretty big shoes to fill," said Carolyn Tavares, junior, Paget, Bermuda.
Emily Hughes' debut on the Olympic ice is one that Kwan's fans are reluctant to watch.
"I know that no other figure skater will take Michelle Kwan's place in my heart. Though it is sad not to see her skate, I hope at least one U.S. skater can take home the gold," said Lauren Macchio, junior, Lake Grove, N.Y.
The 2006 winter Olympics in Torino was most likely the last opportunity to see Kwan walk away with a gold medal gracing her neck. For now, fans eagerly await her return to the ice, and keep her as gold in their hearts.
Severely affected by straining and injuring her groin, Kwan first decided to withdraw from the U.S. Nationals back in early January. She still had a chance to join the ladies' Olympic figure skating team under the condition that she could prove that her injury had healed and her ability was up to Olympic standards.
It was only on Jan. 27 that Kwan performed a long and short program. Her performance qualified her to have a spot on the Olympic team despite her previous injuries that worried Olympic officials.
However, by Saturday, Feb. 11 Kwan's same injuries were affecting her capabilities on the ice. Later that day Kwan decided tp drop out of the winter games, leaving behind dreams of winning the gold, and fans who wanted to see it happen.
Replacing Kwan's spot on the team is Emily Hughes, sister of 2002's winter Olympics gold medalist, Sarah Hughes. Though fans are excited to see another U.S. figure skater to star in the winter Olympics, most are disappointed that it will not be Kwan.
"It makes me sad because it reminds me of when I pulled my groin. I feel her pain. Literally," said Ryan Fahy, senior, Watertown.
While most fans know that Kwan will never be forgotten in Olympic history, some just wanted to see her gracefully skate at the Olympics one last time.
"It seems like it's a disappointment to everyone because she is such an icon to all generation's Olympic experience," said Jaclyn Hines, senior, Port Jefferson, N.Y.
Olympic fans will now watch other figure skaters take home the gold at Torino.
In past Olympic competitions, Kwan had received the silver medal at Nagano in 1998 and in Salt Lake City she had placed third, winning the bronze medal.
"In the past winter Olympics that she has competed in she had been a very graceful and influential skater. Up and coming figure skaters will now have pretty big shoes to fill," said Carolyn Tavares, junior, Paget, Bermuda.
Emily Hughes' debut on the Olympic ice is one that Kwan's fans are reluctant to watch.
"I know that no other figure skater will take Michelle Kwan's place in my heart. Though it is sad not to see her skate, I hope at least one U.S. skater can take home the gold," said Lauren Macchio, junior, Lake Grove, N.Y.
The 2006 winter Olympics in Torino was most likely the last opportunity to see Kwan walk away with a gold medal gracing her neck. For now, fans eagerly await her return to the ice, and keep her as gold in their hearts.