Anyone else think this is not quite right?

Kwan to work out for US Skating committee on Friday
By BARRY WILNER, AP Sports Writer

January 25, 2006

Michelle Kwan must prove she is fit for the Turin Olympics on Friday, when a U.S. Figure Skating committee will monitor her practices in Los Angeles.

Kwan will do run-throughs of her short program and free skate for the five-member committee. If the observers determine she is healthy, she will remain on the U.S. squad for next month's Olympics. If not, she will be replaced by Emily Hughes, who finished third at this month's national championships.

Kwan, a five-time world champion and nine-time U.S. champ, skipped nationals with a groin injury. She petitioned for a berth on the team, which was conditionally granted by U.S. Figure Skating.

However, Kwan first must pass the monitoring test conducted by U.S. Figure Skating international committee chairman Bob Horen, technical controller Charlie Cyr, world judge Paula Naughton, international judge Lorrie Parker, and athlete representative Brittney Bottoms.

The U.S. Olympic Committee will make the final nomination of the 2006 team no later than Jan. 30. But any member of the women's figure skating squad -- currently Sasha Cohen, Kimmie Meissner or Kwan -- could be replaced almost as late as three weeks from now because of injury or illness.

Kwan won the silver medal behind Tara Lipinski at the 1998 Olympics, then was the bronze medalist behind Sarah Hughes -- Emily's older sister -- and Russia' Irina Slutskaya in 2002.

The road to Turin has been an especially frustrating one for Kwan, 25. She stayed in the sport long after most U.S. women retired, but injuries have plagued her this season.

Kwan missed the Grand Prix circuit, and in her only appearance of 2005-06, she won a made-for-TV event judged by the public, but did not do any triple jumps.

Then she was sidelined for nationals and filed the petition to be placed on the Olympic squad.

"I'm my worst critic," Kwan said after Cohen won the U.S. title, which Kwan watched on television from her home in California. "If I feel that I can't be ready, I will pull myself off the team. I've said that before and I'm sticking to it. If I don't believe I can be 100 percent and at my best, I don't believe it's good for me to go."

Kwan has been through this before, but she was in Hughes' spot in 1994. Kwan finished second at those national championships, but was left off the team when Nancy Kerrigan was given a medical bye. Kerrigan was injured at a practice session for nationals by an attacker hired by associates of skater Tonya Harding.

Kerrigan finished second to Oksana Baiul in Lillehammer.

In 1992, Todd Eldredge was given a spot on the men's team for Albertville despite missing nationals because of injury. Eldredge wound up 10th at Albertville.

OK Im sorry, and maybe this makes me unAmerican and all but I honestly dont think Kwan should have been given consideration here. She skated a grand total of ONE time this season. And she's been to the Olympics how many times now? It's time to let someone else have the chance in my opinion. ✅

Depends...is she better? I don't know, that'S why she's monitored, right? If she is, she deserves the spot, if not she shouldn't get it jsut cause she's a veteran.

No, I honestly dont think she IS better. First of all her last few showings havent been all that fantastic, and secondly she's hardly completed this last season. I think this is a case of clearly not wanting to give something up.

She is a popular name for all us non-Figure Skating fans out here. The current women skaters I can name off the top of my head are Sasha Cohen and Michelle Kwan...and that's it.

That may be, but that doesnt mean she should get the opportunity shes getting that stated in the article above. She didnt earn it, simple as that.

Her not earning the chance will justify lower advertising prices for the networks.

I agree, JP, that's it's not fair, but it's also not fair that 100% of everything we see on television has everything to do with advertising prices.

If Michelle Kwan is on the team, there will be more viewers - definately - and therefore the networks can charge more for advertising during the figure skating events.

Hell, why do you think that stupid show "Skating with Celebrities" is successful? These idiots on the show suck, but because they're household names the networks can charge more for advertising. Since the show lives and dies by the network, it exists.

Michelle Kwan is a household name; I know this because I watch zero figure skating and know exactly who she is. Will I watch a few minutes because of her? If I turn to the channel and she's on I might watch the rest of her routine. If it's somebody I've never heard of who also happens to be a good skater, I'm turning the channel to The Price is Right.

Originally posted by Jedi Priestess
No, I honestly dont think she IS better. First of all her last few showings havent been all that fantastic, and secondly she's hardly completed this last season. I think this is a case of clearly not wanting to give something up.

If she isn't she doesn't deserve it...but isn't she monitored just to see that?

Supposedly so, but I suspect that some sentimentality will play into the decision of whether or not she competes. That and her marketability.

When I heard this story I laughed. If you can't perform when the time to perform is at hand, then you don't deserve to go. Plain and simple. It's not fair to the others who EARNED their shot to go to the Olympics. It would be a tad embarrassing to go when you haven't earned it.

It's the age old adage, but it's true...."What have you done for me Lately, Michelle?"

Nothing.

Originally posted by Jedi Priestess
OK Im sorry, and maybe this makes me unAmerican and all but I

way too much effort put into that attempt at comedy ❌

Originally posted by Jedi Priestess
Kwan to work out for US Skating committee on Friday
By BARRY WILNER, AP Sports Writer

January 25, 2006

OK Im sorry, and maybe this makes me unAmerican and all but I honestly dont think Kwan should have been given consideration here. She skated a grand total of ONE time this season. And she's been to the Olympics how many times now? It's time to let someone else have the chance in my opinion. ✅

I didnt bother to read the whole article but just put whoever has the highest chance of winning a gold medal on the team.

for once i agree with kidrock, except don't put anyone on the team connected to tanya harding's ex husband.

Originally posted by Darth Jello
for once i agree with kidrock, except don't put anyone on the team connected to tanya harding's ex husband.

the ryder cup has a policy of having a wild card on the team, whereby a player who maybe has played poorly all season but in the past has shown great talent can be brought in...

if they truly believe kwan can win gold then i say she should go...

The Olympics is for the best athletes in the world to compete against each other to see who is the best in the world.

If she is not the best then she shouldn't go. Shes never even won a gold medal. So I'm thinking its time to let someone else have a crack at it. (not that I care. I'm not American, I'm just saying it makes sense to let some newer blood try).

Plus International Figure Skating is pretty well a joke. Like most international sports that require judging.

Well she got onto the US team today. 10 bux says she dont do much.

Originally posted by Jedi Priestess
Well she got onto the US team today. 10 bux says she dont do much.

I dont think she did. That place should have went to someone who actually skated this last season.