Michelle Kwan on the Today Show

[Isk8NYC]

Michelle Kwan appeared on the Today show this morning. There were a number of other winter olympic athletes as well. Katie Kouric asked her if she was going to "go for" the 2006 Olympics and Michelle answered "Yes." She said that she was undecided before coming to NY for the appearance but being with the other athletes that were also on the show convinced her in the end.

Very interesting. Talk amongst yourselves!

[loveskating]

Michelle Kwan appeared on the Today show this morning. There were a number of other winter olympic athletes as well. Katie Kouric asked her if she was going to "go for" the 2006 Olympics and Michelle answered "Yes." She said that she was undecided before coming to NY for the appearance but being with the other athletes that were also on the show convinced her in the end.

Very interesting. Talk amongst yourselves!

"Interesting?" Hardly a surprise and hardly interesting!

[AuroraBorealis]

"Interesting?" Hardly a surprise and hardly interesting!

Personally, I think that the interesting part is how she was "undecided before coming to NY for the appearance" and that the presence of other athletes influenced her this way.
That being said, I'm happy she's made a firm decision. Best of luck, Michelle, and may your dreams come true!

[nyskatefan]

"Interesting?" Hardly a surprise and hardly interesting!

Interesting to some, and not to others.

[Bella]

I would so love to see Michelle win gold at the Olympics, but I can't see it happening with some of the other skaters that have higher technical ability AND the artistry to go with it ie. Sasha Cohen, Shizuka, Irina, etc. I don't think anyone skates like Michelle and I LOVE her quality of skating - I look forward to seeing it more than most other amateur skaters because it is simply beautiful skating, but I don't think that's going to allow her to win gold. Perhaps if she has a triple-triple, and/or the other top skaters fumble, she'd be able to take advantage of the opportunity.

But if she feels that she wants to go back again, good for her. Some people just enjoy competing...I'd love to see what she could do in the pro world, but I guess she's just not ready to move on quite yet. However, even without Olympic gold, she's MORE than proved herself in the sport...personally I think she'll go down as one of the greats, and no one will forget her...she's more well known and popular than some Olympic gold medallists (ie. Alexei Urmonov). I think similar situations happened with Elvis Stojko, Kurt Browning, and to some extent Bourne and Kraatz...all skaters who didn't win Olympic gold but who have been wildly popular, will always be remembed, and have brought such great diversity and magic to the skating world. So no matter what she does, I hope she can still be deeply satisfied for what she accomplished in the sport, and to know that it goes way further than a gold medal!

[loveskating]

Well, personally, I don't believe that Kwan or anyone else makes such a decision based on being in NYC for a few days with other Olympic athletes so I find her "decision" being presented that way to be insulting to my intelligence (our sicko media is so good at that, IMHO).

As for how people will remember Michelle Kwan, that story is not yet finished, is it? If it is, then the show is fixed.

A lot can happen between now and Turin...and on the ice there, as well.

[Tapper]

Well, personally, I don't believe that Kwan or anyone else makes such a decision based on being in NYC for a few days with other Olympic athletes ...

There's nothing in Isk8NYC's post to suggest that she *based* her decision on being with other athletes in NYC. There's a big difference between the process of making a decision and the actual moment of decision.

[Isk8NYC]

Let's be honest. Michelle Kwan is NOT foolish or capricious. I can understand her weighing the pros and cons of this decision very intelligently over a period of time. It's going to be a lot of work for her to get everything, including her skating and programs, in order.

I would think that the other side of the coin is the excitement and joy that comes from competing at such a high level. (Pure imagination on my part.) And the tantalizing glint of gold. So, she analyzes the decision again and again, agrees to appear in NY as part of the Visa promotion, and expects to be asked this question.

While she's trying to come to terms with it, she spends time with other athletes in the same boat. I could see that decision happening in a few moments. Not the "thinking about it", but the actual decision. I've done it when friends have cajoled me into joining them for visits and trips.

It's probably her last chance at the Olympics. She's healthy, she needs some guidance but she has no major obstacles stopping her. I wish her well.

BTW - The last line of my original post is a quote from Saturday Night Live. No offense meant to anyone. Just a catch phrase I use a lot.

[Mel On Ice]

As for how people will remember Michelle Kwan, that story is not yet finished, is it? If it is, then the show is fixed.

Story may not be finished but the last 10 years have been an interesting read.

[loveskating]

Let's be honest. Michelle Kwan is NOT foolish or capricious. I can understand her weighing the pros and cons of this decision very intelligently over a period of time. It's going to be a lot of work for her to get everything, including her skating and programs, in order.

I would think that the other side of the coin is the excitement and joy that comes from competing at such a high level. (Pure imagination on my part.) And the tantalizing glint of gold. So, she analyzes the decision again and again, agrees to appear in NY as part of the Visa promotion, and expects to be asked this question.

While she's trying to come to terms with it, she spends time with other athletes in the same boat. I could see that decision happening in a few moments. Not the "thinking about it", but the actual decision. I've done it when friends have cajoled me into joining them for visits and trips.

It's probably her last chance at the Olympics. She's healthy, she needs some guidance but she has no major obstacles stopping her. I wish her well.

BTW - The last line of my original post is a quote from Saturday Night Live. No offense meant to anyone. Just a catch phrase I use a lot.

I don't think MK is capricious either, far from it! That is why I believe this is at best a media spin, at worst a Kwan spin. Either way, I don't really give a flying hoot when she made her decision, I just find this gushy silliness about making a decision during some weekend in NYC to be insulting to my intelligence, is all.

If you buy it, fine, if it makes you happy and floats your boat, fine!

Please allow me the same prerogative!

[Apples]

I don't think MK is capricious either, far from it! That is why I believe this is at best a media spin, at worst a Kwan spin. Either way, I don't really give a flying hoot when she made her decision, I just find this gushy silliness about making a decision during some weekend in NYC to be insulting to my intelligence, is all.


If you don't care about how Michelle made her decision, why have you devoted three very obviously emotional posts to a topic that you care nothing for?

[Tapper]

BTW - The last line of my original post is a quote from Saturday Night Live. No offense meant to anyone. Just a catch phrase I use a lot.

Being a big SNL fan, I thought it was pretty funny! And quite appropriate for an MK topic! I can't imagine that someone would find it offensive... then again, you never know! ;)

[Sk8pdx]

A lot can happen between now and Turin...and on the ice there, as well.

THAT, my friend is what the interesting part is! :) Regardless of how she finalized her choice, why not have America's best athletes out there representing us? IMHO, Michelle is one of the best :bow:

[Sk8pdx]

BTW - The last line of my original post is a quote from Saturday Night Live. No offense meant to anyone. Just a catch phrase I use a lot.

I am an SNL fan as well.
OMG! Michelle in Turin :bow: ... she skates like she's on "butta"!

[Schmeck]

Glad to hear she's going to compete this season. Wonder if she's committed to doing GP events? I know she's on the list, but remember last year...

Hopefully, Sasha will remain injury free (her biggest injury came under Nicks' tutelage, so I'm a bit concerned about it reappearing) Michelle will compete in the GP, and we get to see CoP go smoothly at Nationals this year.

It's lining up to be an interesting year, isn't it?

[loveskating]

Quote:
Originally Posted by loveskating
"I don't think MK is capricious either, far from it! That is why I believe this is at best a media spin, at worst a Kwan spin. Either way, I don't really give a flying hoot when she made her decision, I just find this gushy silliness about making a decision during some weekend in NYC to be insulting to my intelligence, is all."

Response: "If you don't care about how Michelle made her decision, why have you devoted three very obviously emotional posts to a topic that you care nothing for?"

Sorry, if it bothers you, but I do care when my intelligence is insulted by the media or by ANY figure skater, and that includes Kwan. Either Michelle makes very capricious decisions, which I do not believe she does, or the media is spinning it this way and Kwan is accommodating them, or Kwan is spinning it this way herself...either way, I don't buy it, and it pleases me to say so!

However, its not big deal...if obviously absurd statements rock someone's boat, if they enjoy living in never-never land, its hardly a crime.

Now, as to your claim that my posts have been "emotional", like many posters, I admit that I do CRINGE and get emotional when I consider saying what I really think about Michelle Kwan -- I know I am going to be bashed to smithereens, accused of being "anti-Kwan" and that some little group of Kwan Police will harass me eternally!

[Isk8NYC]

Here's the MSNBC link to the 15-second "interview" article. No decision on the Grand Prix competitions, though.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7995936/

[duckies77]

:giveup: Michelle Kwan being, " undecided before going to the appearance in New York and after meeting the other athletes ,convinced her!! What garbage! it's all to staged like everything else about Kwan,on the contrary she is so predictable in every aspect we all know its been staged and planned, her competing in Turin and quite possibly right down to the choice of music. Same syle of dress too, but she will choose a different color . It,s all too too boring. Do they really expect us to believe this,how insulting!

[Schmeck]

I don't see anything bizarre about Kwan "officially" deciding to say that she wants to try to make it to another Olympics at this time. This is about the time of year when the skaters start (or get back from) vacation after the tours, and then start the conditioning/training for a new season. This is when you hear about skaters that have quit skating, turned to coaching, etc.

She's finished the tour, had some time to rest, etc. She couldn't wait much longer to decide - she's got to line up time with designers, choreographers, cut music, etc. I mean, Skate America is just months away!

Of course, I have to laugh at all those posters who can't handle the Kwan info. It's so much more fluff than the Cohen stuff about going shopping, the reasons behind changing coaches, etc. right? :roll:

And to those who feel that they can't express themselves for fear of being labeled a Kwan-basher - if you can post logical, educated, intelligent points of view, no one would consider it bashing. Back up your statements with legit data, and have no fear. Most posters here are intelligent adults, and enjoy seeing a well thought out discussion develop.

Oh yes, intelligent teenagers can be found here too! :bow:

[Bella]

Personally, I don't see how anyone's intelligence is being insulted...I don't see how anything is being "staged". Kwan simply made a decision, was interviewed about it, and said that with all the other athletes around her, she decided to compete. Sometimes it's not easy to make decisions right away, but some things or single events can just spark that...for example being around competitive athletes. I don't think Kwan or the media thinks anyone is stupid, and it certainly doesn't sound like it was presented in that matter. It's simply a piece of news, that is all.

[lilwish]

I love her and hope she is really ready for the upcoming season. I would hate to see her do poorly and I fear that for her. I would be very happy to see her have a wonderful Olympic experience.

[duckies77]

Absolutely, there is nothing bizzarre about Kwan formally announcing intentions regarding her participation in Turin. However , the way it was said as being "undecided" and then "convinced "tells us her decision was based on a mere whim right there and then ! :giveup: Nonsense.

[Kathy]

For those of you who didn't get to see the Today show, there is a download available at MKF. Don't know when she decided, or why she decided to announce it there - really don't care. She is such a doll on that show - her at turino is soo exciting to me regardless of how she places, an OGM for her would be priceless.

[WeBeEducated]

:giveup: Michelle Kwan being, " undecided before going to the appearance in New York and after meeting the other athletes ,convinced her!! What garbage! it's all to staged like everything else about Kwan,on the contrary she is so predictable in every aspect we all know its been staged and planned, her competing in Turin and quite possibly right down to the choice of music. Same syle of dress too, but she will choose a different color . It,s all too too boring. Do they really expect us to believe this,how insulting!

:lol:
I agree that there is something predictable about her pretense of indecision.
Every year she says she is "not sure" if she will compete, not sure if she is ready to go pro, not sure if she will train for the next Olympics, etc.
It is definately her established MO.

[Tapper]

:lol:
I agree that there is something predictable about her pretense of indecision.


So you think she was lying about being undecided?

[AxelAnnie22]

Personally, I think that the interesting part is how she was "undecided before coming to NY for the appearance" and that the presence of other athletes influenced her this way.
That being said, I'm happy she's made a firm decision. Best of luck, Michelle, and may your dreams come true!
It is surprising that she needed the enthusiasm of the other athletes to sway her. Let's see what happens when she is back home in the daily grind. What do you 'spose would happen if she didn't win Nats., or if she finished third at her GP's? Do you think it would strengthen her resolve, or weaken it?

[Tessie]

Come on - the biggest shock would be the announcement that she isn't going to try for the Olympics. I don't think she is trying any pretense. We can't forget that she has an agent that may be pulling her strings and scripting when & what she is going to say. But ulitimately it is he decision as she is the one that needs to train, not the agent. It's a big decision which matches the size of the commitment.

I am a big fan of MK. Don't want to see her fail, but don't want to see her fail by not trying either.

[duckies77]

:giveup: Come on - the biggest shock would be the announcement that she isn't going to try for the Olympics. I don't think she is trying any pretense. We can't forget that she has an agent that may be pulling her strings and scripting when & what she is going to say. But ulitimately it is he decision as she is the one that needs to train, not the agent. It's a big decision which matches the size of the commitment.

I am a big fan of MK. Don't want to see her fail, but don't want to see her fail by not trying either.

Precisely! The biggest shock would be Michelle not competing,so why the professed participation based upon a whim ,whilst meeting the other athletes? Her entry was a foregone conclusion!

[loveskating]

You cannot have it both ways....you cannot say Kwan decided to go to the Olympics during a weekend under the intoxicating influence of other Olympic athletes (an emotional, whimsical decision) and then claim she is not capricious.

Having said that, if you conclude that her statement was calculated, and not capricious, then you need to address what are the valid and/or objective reasons any person might pretend to decide something on a whim?

P.S. I resent the fanatical implicationt that saying so is tantamount to calling Kwan a "lier"! At worst, people who claim a calculation by Kwan are saying that this is bad showmanship, a MILD criticism.

Other posters think Kwan is very capricious, made a very important decision for herself whiimsically, and it will not hold her up in the day to day training, which is logical because whimsical decisions never do...they are always flighty, by definition. This analysis has a great deal of resonance, although I don't quite agree with it...it is thoughtful and worth discussion, IMHO!

We shall all see...

[crayonskater]

Good lord. Isn't it far more likely that the decision was made some time before, but the energy of all the athletes, etc, influenced the timing of the announcement of the decision (and that's all that's meant by 'I wasn't sure until I came here, but...') with a bit of hyperbole? Mountains out of molehills, etc.

I mean, it's not like she casually mentioned that she was really thinking about training for a quad right after Kimmie Meissner stole the show with her (kinda) triple Axel, right? ;)

[shadymc]

Good lord. Isn't it far more likely that the decision was made some time before, but the energy of all the athletes, etc, influenced the timing of the announcement of the decision (and that's all that's meant by 'I wasn't sure until I came here, but...') with a bit of hyperbole? Mountains out of molehills, etc.

Of course that makes sense, but it isn't sufficient for some posters to fulfill their agenda.

[Tapper]

P.S. I resent the fanatical implicationt that saying so is tantamount to calling Kwan a "lier"!

Who implied that?

[loveskating]

Of course that makes sense, but it isn't sufficient for some posters to fulfill their agenda.

What agenda? Don't tease us, tell us precisely what you mean!

[loveskating]

Who implied that?

See Post #25

"06-04-2005, 10:14 AM
Tapper
Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 750

Quote:
Originally Posted by WeBeEducated

"I agree that there is something predictable about her pretense of indecision."

So you think she was lying about being undecided?"

I don't think anyone would put it that way or even think Kwan was lying...its more like gratuitious fluff nonsense which appeals to...well, this thread shows, I guess, who such nonsense appeals to?

[Mel On Ice]

I don't see a reason to get upset about it and call Kwan a liar.

[loveskating]

I don't see a reason to get upset about it and call Kwan a liar.

No one did.

[Tapper]

I simply asked a question. Specifically asked Webe if she thought Kwan was lying. To say that Kwan is "Predictable in her pretense of indecision" suggests that Kwan's presentation of herself [as being undecided] is purposefully intended to give a false impression, and that it is to be expected. I simply wanted clarification. You on the other hand, interpreted my question as an accusation. The "fanatical implication" lies in your interpretation, not in mine.

[doubletoe]

She said the same thing in another interview at least a year ago after doing a video shoot with some pro basketball player who convinced her to do the 2006 Olympics, then signed her skates. I forgot who the b-ball player was. . .

[doubletoe]

By the way, I wouldn't call it lying; I would call it following the direction of her agent and/or publicist, who knows that if there's no new development to report, the public will become bored with her and stop thinking about her. When your future financial success depends on your popularity and marketability, you need the public to stay interested in you and you do what you have to do to make the interviews newsworthy.

[Tessie]

By the way, I wouldn't call it lying; I would call it following the direction of her agent and/or publicist, who knows that if there's no new development to report, the public will become bored with her and stop thinking about her. When your future financial success depends on your popularity and marketability, you need the public to stay interested in you and you do what you have to do to make the interviews newsworthy.

You got what I sai earlier -"Come on - the biggest shock would be the announcement that she isn't going to try for the Olympics. I don't think she is trying any pretense. We can't forget that she has an agent that may be pulling her strings and scripting when & what she is going to say. But ulitimately it is he decision as she is the one that needs to train, not the agent. It's a big decision which matches the size of the commitment."