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Kwan will leave behind big void

By Lew Gilliland
The Times-Journal

Published February 17, 2006

There’s still more than a week left in the 2006 Winter Olympics, but perhaps the biggest story of the Games unfolded last weekend when Michelle Kwan pulled out of the women’s figure skating competition.

A strained groin muscle robbed Kwan of what will likely be her last chance of winning Olympic gold, and now the debate will began as to where she belongs in the history of her sport.

Figure skaters are normally remembered for what they did on Olympic ice, but Kwan may be different. In fact, even without the gold medal, she’ll probably be remembered as one of most beloved, and accomplished, athletes in the history of figure skating.

Assuming she’s through competing, Kwan will finish her career with nine national and five world titles. Those are impressive totals, but what people are more likely to recall about Kwan is the gracefulness and beauty with which she skated.

“Michelle Kwan means more to the United States Olympic Committee than maybe any athlete that’s ever performed for the U.S. Olympic Committee,” USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth said after the skater’s withdrawal. “She’s been a leader, she’s been gracious, she’s somebody that cares for so many youngsters that are training in our country.

“She’s a real loss to all of the United States Olympic Committee and to the United States of America, and I think to the world. She’s made a courageous decision.”

While it’s true Kwan must accept most of the blame for failing in her quest for Olympic gold, it’s also true she was the victim of unfortunate timing.

Kwan was the Olympic favorite at Nagano, Japan, in 1998 but settled for second after a teammate, Tara Lipinski, took the gold by turning in a stunning performance. Kwan came home with the silver.

Sara Hughes pulled a Lipinski at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City and went home with the gold medal. Kwan settled for the bronze.

By while Lipinski and Hughes will always have their golden moments in time, neither has meant as much to figure skating as Kwan. Her probable departure leaves a void that won’t be easily filled.

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