Kwan's Last Chance
Michelle Kwan qualifies for a spot at the Winter Olympics.
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| Michelle Kwan performs in Portland, Oregon on January 16, 2005. (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) |
She had to prove herself one last time for a final shot at Olympic gold. World champion U.S. figure skater Michelle Kwan convinced a five-member monitoring committee this weekend that she is well enough to compete in the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy, in February. This will be Kwan's third attempt to win an Olympic contest. She has five world and nine U.S. titles. An Olympic medal eluded her in 1998 and 2002.
She was unable to compete in the national championships two weeks earlier when the rest of the U.S. figure skating team was chosen. At the time, she was suffering from a groin injury. She petitioned for a spot on the team. The U.S. Figure Skating committee said she had to prove herself during a monitoring session.
"I appreciate the faith and confidence that U.S. Figure Skating has shown in me," Kwan said after a successful monitoring session. "My injury is now completely healed, I'm working hard, and I will do my very best to make all Americans proud in Torino."
The U.S. Team
Kwan, 25, will join Sasha Cohen, 21, and Kimmie Meissner, 16, as the top three female figure skaters at the Winter Games. Emily Hughes, 17, will go to the games as an alternate. Emily's sister, Sarah Hughes, won gold in 2002 in an upset.
Despite her age and her injuries, Kwan said she is confident about her chances this year.
"I do have a shot," she said. "I can't tell you the percentage of winning the gold, but I have a shot and I'll take advantage of that shot."
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High Interest Books—Greatest Sports Heroes
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