Last night, Michelle Kwan, the most decorated U.S. Figure Skating athlete, was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
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In a beautiful room, with Michelle’s signature lit up on the walls, the scene was set for an amazing night for one of the most well-respected and accomplished people not just in the sport of figure skating, but in the world of sport as a whole. The evening was started with U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Chair of Electors, Dr. Lawrence Mondschein, speaking and saying his words about Kwan. He then introduced U.S. Figure Skating President Patricia St. Peter, who said Michelle is “the epitome of a champion on and off the ice.” St. Peter then went into a personal story about the 2005 U.S. Championships as a judge and why she pressed the 6.0 button after Kwan’s short program. St. Peter said, unlike anyone else, Michelle looked at you when she skated. Of the 6.0, St. Peter said, you only award if you don’t have to think about it, you just know. On that night, she knew.
After the video, Brian Boitano spoke about his and Michelle’s personal relationship. He spoke about her like she was a sister to him and that he thought to give her guidance many times, but that she didn’t need it, that Michelle was a natural. Boitano’s words were heart-felt and he recalled a story where the two were sitting alone together when Michelle told him that she wanted to be the President of the United States, which drew laughs and Michelle to point and jokingly scold him. Boitano continued his speech and then ended with, Vote Kwan for President.
After a video submitted by Condoleezza Rice, congratulating Michelle on her induction, Kwan was officially inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Kwan then took to the microphone and began by thanking the many people that have helped her throughout her career. She started with her family, then spent time to recognize many others individually. The largest cheers occurred when she thanked her many fans who have been with her throughout the years. Michelle said she always skated with her heart and that she is excited about starting a new life and that she would do everything in her new life the same way she skated, with her heart. After her speech, Michelle spent time greeting fans and taking pictures. There were 24 members of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame on hand who all took a picture with her on the stage.
"When I look back at my skating career, I'm thankful for the years I was on the ice. Having the opportunity to go out and do what I love every day, with thousands and millions of people watching. It's a hobby, something I love doing," she said. "Yes, you might look back and say, `It's a bummer I didn't win gold in `98 or 2002.' Yes, I could reflect back and think those thoughts. But to me, it was about moments. It was never about the medals, it was about loving what I do."
Kwan was the face of figure skating for a decade, beloved as much for her grace and humility in defeat as her long list of triumphs. Though she won five world and nine U.S. titles, she is best remembered for her heartbreaking finishes at the Nagano and Salt Lake City games. The favorite at each, she settled instead for a silver (1998) and a bronze (2002). Indeed, the image of her sobbing as she stood below a beaming Tara Lipinski on the Nagano medals podium is as enduring as her majestic performance at the national championships a month earlier.
Kwan made one last run at gold in 2006, but a groin injury forced her to drop out of the Turin Olympics two days after the opening ceremony.
"I miss everything about skating, to tell you truth," she said. "I miss the routine, I miss training every day, I miss my friends at the rink. I miss everything. I miss competing, I love performing. Skating is something that will always be close to my heart. That will always be there. How can you find a sport that you're so attached to and love so much and have so many fond memories of it?"
Asked if one memory stood taller than others, Kwan said her fondest was also her hardest: the 1998 U.S. championships in Philadelphia.
more at the sources
In a beautiful room, with Michelle’s signature lit up on the walls, the scene was set for an amazing night for one of the most well-respected and accomplished people not just in the sport of figure skating, but in the world of sport as a whole. The evening was started with U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Chair of Electors, Dr. Lawrence Mondschein, speaking and saying his words about Kwan. He then introduced U.S. Figure Skating President Patricia St. Peter, who said Michelle is “the epitome of a champion on and off the ice.” St. Peter then went into a personal story about the 2005 U.S. Championships as a judge and why she pressed the 6.0 button after Kwan’s short program. St. Peter said, unlike anyone else, Michelle looked at you when she skated. Of the 6.0, St. Peter said, you only award if you don’t have to think about it, you just know. On that night, she knew.
After the video, Brian Boitano spoke about his and Michelle’s personal relationship. He spoke about her like she was a sister to him and that he thought to give her guidance many times, but that she didn’t need it, that Michelle was a natural. Boitano’s words were heart-felt and he recalled a story where the two were sitting alone together when Michelle told him that she wanted to be the President of the United States, which drew laughs and Michelle to point and jokingly scold him. Boitano continued his speech and then ended with, Vote Kwan for President.
After a video submitted by Condoleezza Rice, congratulating Michelle on her induction, Kwan was officially inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Kwan then took to the microphone and began by thanking the many people that have helped her throughout her career. She started with her family, then spent time to recognize many others individually. The largest cheers occurred when she thanked her many fans who have been with her throughout the years. Michelle said she always skated with her heart and that she is excited about starting a new life and that she would do everything in her new life the same way she skated, with her heart. After her speech, Michelle spent time greeting fans and taking pictures. There were 24 members of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame on hand who all took a picture with her on the stage.
"When I look back at my skating career, I'm thankful for the years I was on the ice. Having the opportunity to go out and do what I love every day, with thousands and millions of people watching. It's a hobby, something I love doing," she said. "Yes, you might look back and say, `It's a bummer I didn't win gold in `98 or 2002.' Yes, I could reflect back and think those thoughts. But to me, it was about moments. It was never about the medals, it was about loving what I do."
Kwan was the face of figure skating for a decade, beloved as much for her grace and humility in defeat as her long list of triumphs. Though she won five world and nine U.S. titles, she is best remembered for her heartbreaking finishes at the Nagano and Salt Lake City games. The favorite at each, she settled instead for a silver (1998) and a bronze (2002). Indeed, the image of her sobbing as she stood below a beaming Tara Lipinski on the Nagano medals podium is as enduring as her majestic performance at the national championships a month earlier.
Kwan made one last run at gold in 2006, but a groin injury forced her to drop out of the Turin Olympics two days after the opening ceremony.
"I miss everything about skating, to tell you truth," she said. "I miss the routine, I miss training every day, I miss my friends at the rink. I miss everything. I miss competing, I love performing. Skating is something that will always be close to my heart. That will always be there. How can you find a sport that you're so attached to and love so much and have so many fond memories of it?"
Asked if one memory stood taller than others, Kwan said her fondest was also her hardest: the 1998 U.S. championships in Philadelphia.
more at the sources