Leave Michelle home

All the professional sports columnists are saying is Give Michelle a Chance. (see here and here) Citing a fresh injury, Michelle Kwan has withdrawn from this month's U.S. Nationals, which serves as figure skating's Olympic trials, and will instead petition for a spot on the Olympic team.

I'm here to say it's time for some tough love. Leave Michelle home. I know it sounds coldhearted -- after all, Kwan is America's Skating Sweetheart and has been thrilling us for years now. All she wants is the Olympic gold that's eluded her for 8-plus years. Believe me, I'm a big fan, and there's no figute skater I'd rather see win gold in Torino.

Sorry. Even if she does get to go to Torino, Kwan ain't bringing home any gold. She'd be very lucky to make the podium at all in Torino.

The sport has largely passed Michelle by since 2002. She has struggled with injuries that kept her out of competition this season and chose not to compete much in recent years. Michelle has never been able to pull off tougher elements, like triple-triple combination jumps. Her unparalleled artistry usually trumped these deficits under the old 6.0 system, but the new scoring system lays them bare. When it counted most, at 2005 Worlds, Kwan finished off the podium for the first time in memory.

It's tough to see such a great champion as Kwan end her competitive career with a whimper and not a bang. But U.S. Figure Skating needs to make this decision with their heads and not their hearts. Michelle Kwan represents figure skating's past. Let her yield to the future.

Let Kimmie Meissner or Alissa Czisny or some other young whippersnapper who'll be around for years to come -- and more importantly, who will show up at Nationals and prove they deserve a spot on the Olympic team -- make the trip to Torino with shoo-in Sasha Cohen. The youngsters may not medal either, but the investment in a young skater will have a much bigger payoff in the long run.

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This entry has 10 comments: (Add your own)

#10 Comment from jmason7701
2/13/06 11:37 AM | Permalink

I REALLY THINK SHE CHICKEN OUT SHE COULD OF TRYED HURT OR NOT ALOT OF OTHER SKATING PEOPLE TRY HARD HURT OR NOT IF YOU LOOSE AT LEAST YOU CAN SAY I TRYED SHE WANTS TO KEEP ON SKATING WINNING IN THE SMALL FIELDS IUSED TO WATCH HER ALL THE TIME AND WAS HOPING SHE WOULD TRY FOR THE GOLD I BELIVED IN HER SHE DIDNT IN HER SELF I WONT WATCH HER ANYMORE AND IBELIVE ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WONT EATHER
#9 Comment from mikomallorie
1/14/06 9:05 PM | Permalink

Michelle Kwan is one of the world's best, but isn't the Nationals set up in an Olympic year to be the ultimate test to set the stage for who is to participate in the Olympics? I feel that she shouldn't petition for an Olympic slot if she didn't participate in the Nationals, they should let the ones that earned the slots by competing in the Nationals go, they earned it this time around. How would she have felt if this had happened to her? If she had not been able to go because someone else that hadn't been in the Nationals had kicked her off the list when she made the podium, she would have been upset. Ultimately, she should be the one to admit that she didn't participate and just stand down. What if she kicks someone out of their slot and comes home with a terrible showing? Wouldn't the country wonder if they had made the right decision in letting her go? Sasha Cohen or Kimmy Miesner should have the chance to go if they earn it, after all Michelle has had her chance twice that I can think of, she really should let the ones go that made their way by skating their hearts out.
#8 Comment from onlymyopinion48
1/8/06 2:49 PM | Permalink

Michelle Kwan is an amazing young woman! I so enjoy watching her perform and would love to see her at the olympics again! That said, the USA, like all nations, has a set of rules governing who will represent her at the olympics. We can't change those rules because we really love to see Michelle skate and we really want her to represent our nation. If we allow Michelle's past successes to place her on the olympic team, it will be necessary to allow the past successes of all athletes, regardless of their current qualifications, to represent our nation. Not only is that unrealistic, it is unjust to the individuals who have followed the rules and have earned the right to be on the team. What of Kimmie Meissner or Alissa Czisny? Do we really want to sent the message to our youth that hard work and perseverence pay off, as long as someone with past success doesn't come along and deprive you of your earned position? Is it fair that Michelle has sustained an injury that prevented her from competing at Nationals? Absolutely not! Unfortunately, life is not always fair! You've had a great ride Michelle! You were the best! Enjoy your memories! Encourage your fellow citizens and cheer on your country from the stands! Only my opinion........
#7 Comment from pfmuellerod
1/8/06 10:11 AM | Permalink

You guys are nuts-Michelle Kwan defines the sport-she has earned her way to Torino.
#6 Comment from lizzybden
1/8/06 10:09 AM | Permalink

I agree with you on this. If she had been performing to her potential all season and sustained an injury just before Nationals, I would feel differently. But she hasn't been herself all season. She wasn't able to come through in 2002 when she was in top form, so it's unrealistic to think this will be her year.

I believe champions should retire with dignity. What she's doing borders on the pathetic. I'm a big fan of Michelle' too, and that's why it pains me to see that she's obviously having a hard time accepting reality. It's sad.

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Leave Michelle home