Kwan officially not competing...

[Schmeck]

this year, anyways... ;)

http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=35383&type=news

And she's had her surgery too!

[Lark]

U.S. Nationals without Michelle is like popcorn without butter!!!

Michelle IS U.S. skating! :cry:

[Samskate]

This is really sad news...although I guess I can understand why to some extent. She will definitely be missed. Unfortunately, my interest in the sport has been on the downslide for a few years now and this will add to that. I wish her the best though.

[mikawendy]

I noticed the story said that it's a year off from skating (and did not mention she's giving up her eligibility) so that means another year of speculation...

[Nicki]

Glad to hear that she's already had the surgery and that it apparently went well. Although I will miss seeing her skate this season, I think she is making the right decision to take some time off, try to heal, and focus on school.

[elanboy]

Wow...does anyone really believe that she would return to competitive skating after a year off, particularly at her age and having to recover from injury? Glad to hear that she is concentrating on other things besides skating...she is clearly passed her competitive prime...I hope I don't sound too harsh, but she should retire gracefully and accept the fact that she'll never be an Olympic gold medallist, since in recent years, it seems to be a motivating factor for her to stay in the competitive ranks. She has been a wonderful representative for American skating, and absolutely deserves all the accolades and recognition for all that she has achieved in her career, but it really is time to move on...please spare us from the "will she or won't she skate" beyond the current season...

[Schmeck]

She's probably keeping herself eligible so that she could skate in the USFSA cheesefests if asked. I don't see her doing GP, or winning Nationals again, but she could make another World team - a longshot, but it could happen.

[Alexa]

I think it is great she is going to school. The thing I have always liked about Michelle is that even though she has taken time off, she has always taken skating seriously and has never been wrapped up in the fame.

I just seem to have great respect for the athletes that choose college in their time off. Though I like Tara and Sasha, there is something about their quest for acting fame that annoys me. Same thing with gymnasts--I think it is great when they leave the competitive ranks to go to college, and then often compete there. Carly Patterson is now on Duets and wants to be a singer. There is nothing wrong with that, but part of me wishes she would have chosen college first.

I will end by saying, I know it is their choice what they want to do with their lives; I am just being honest by saying I respect the route Michelle is taking more.

[icedancer2]

Wow...does anyone really believe that she would return to competitive skating after a year off, particularly at her age and having to recover from injury? Glad to hear that she is concentrating on other things besides skating...she is clearly passed her competitive prime...I hope I don't sound too harsh, but she should retire gracefully and accept the fact that she'll never be an Olympic gold medallist, since in recent years, it seems to be a motivating factor for her to stay in the competitive ranks. She has been a wonderful representative for American skating, and absolutely deserves all the accolades and recognition for all that she has achieved in her career, but it really is time to move on...please spare us from the "will she or won't she skate" beyond the current season...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for saying this in such an eloquent and respectful way.

It's time to move on.

[fmh]

I hope I don't sound too harsh, but she should retire gracefully and accept the fact that she'll never be an Olympic gold medallist, since in recent years, it seems to be a motivating factor for her to stay in the competitive ranks.

this doesn't sound too harsh, but has anyone ever thought that she might just love skating and competing and that winning may not be what she's looking for?

[Tapper]

I hope I don't sound too harsh, but she should retire gracefully and accept the fact that she'll never be an Olympic gold medallist, since in recent years...

I don't know if *harsh* is how you sound to me, but the phrase "should retire gracefully" has an offkey sound to my ears. Why "should" why "retire" why "gracefully"?

[Lark]

The only reason people want Michelle to retire is so she will not defeat one of their faves in the future.

Michelle, healthy and at her "advanced" age, is still good enough to place in the Top 5 at the next couple Worlds, and she is still capable of medaling at Nationals for the next 3. Easily.

[coskater64]

Well, it's interesting, it takes a while to recover from the surgery she had, since a had the larger variation of it, (same doctor) and I'm walking after seven weeks. But, it seems she is taking care of herself, going ahead with her education and making some choices. She is without a doubt one of the most decorated skaters in US history and she's already given so much to sport, if she comes back it would be great, if she chooses to go on with her life then more power to her.

[Isk8NYC]

She's already invested some time in college. She shouldn't lose those credits that she's already earned. Often, taking long breaks from school costs you in terms of credits earned. Hopefully, she can finish her degree while she's recuperating. That might give her some new avenues to pursue and time to consider what she's doing after next year.

I agree, the cards are laid out for this season. Let's not start "what if Michelle ..." threads this year; the point is moot. (or "mott," as I originally typed! LOL)

[elanboy]

I don't know if *harsh* is how you sound to me, but the phrase "should retire gracefully" has an offkey sound to my ears. Why "should" why "retire" why "gracefully"?

The only reason people want Michelle to retire is so she will not defeat one of their faves in the future.

Michelle, healthy and at her "advanced" age, is still good enough to place in the Top 5 at the next couple Worlds, and she is still capable of medaling at Nationals for the next 3. Easily.

No, Michelle should continue skating into her 40’s so that she can possibly place top 10 nationally with her double jumps, or she can make the record books as the skater NEVER to retire…ok, I’m being sarcastic here, but only in jest… 

There comes a time in every athlete’s career when they must know that they aren’t able to compete with the same ability and level that brought them their initial success. Age, injury and desire are 3 components that could factor into whether they can maintain their competitiveness. I just feel that for Michelle, particularly in recent years, her age and greater susceptibility to injury prove to be much more of a hindrance to her obvious strong desire to remain an elite skater. Sure, an Olympic gold medal would have punctuated her career even more, but even without it, there is absolutely no doubt that she will be thought of as one of the greatest skaters of all time. Retiring has to be the one of the hardest things for an athlete to do, as can be attested to by the many countless tearful press conferences. Even harder it seems, is ‘knowing’ when to retire, and this is something that Michelle seems to struggle with. I don’t know her personally, so of course I am projecting my own wishes for her here. For such a competitive athlete as herself to have won multiple World and National titles, does anyone believe that she could be satisfied with just coming in 5th in the World over the next few years. And the likelihood of such a high placement diminishes even more as the years go on. I'm glad for her that she'll be taking the year off, and taking the time to reassess and get a greater perspective on skating which has been such a huge part of her life. In my mind, Michelle has nothing else left to prove as far as competitive skating goes.

[Tapper]

I don’t know her personally, so of course I am projecting my own wishes for her here.

Ok, that sounds truer to me than she *should*...

I wish her the best to.

[Lark]

For such a competitive athlete as herself to have won multiple World and National titles, does anyone believe that she could be satisfied with just coming in 5th in the World over the next few years.

Maria was, what, 26 or 27 when she won Worlds? And she was nowhere CLOSE the skater Michelle is.
Maybe being the oldest singles skater to make a World team could be a goal of Michelle's? There is no shame in setting more records. :)
And honestly, with Sasha taking time off, WHO could defeat a 5-triple Michelle at Nationals, other than maybe a very sharp Kimmie? Who?

[thumbyskates]

Reminds of poor Elvis Stojko - whom I love and adore - but just didn't know when to quit. I appreciate and admire the love of skating, the love of competition, but in the end it fared only worse for him. Here's hoping Michelle doesn't end her lovely career how he did :(

[Lark]

When I think of Michlle continuing, I do not think "man, will she compete until she is 50!?!? How embarassing for her and the sport!".

I look at as more of a Dan Jansen type of thing. Michelle has such a competent, regal quality about her that her true fans, and fans of the SPORT of figure skating, will respect her despite her placements.

I am still wanting the days of Maria/Michelle/Irina. Looking back, the sport was so much better then. Everything was a not-to-miss competition. Remember 2000 Worlds!?!?!? What a breath-taking show!

Today, I do not even bother to tape any of the Grand Prix. Very little excitement. :cry:

[MQSeries]

Michelle, healthy and at her "advanced" age, is still good enough to place in the Top 5 at the next couple Worlds, and she is still capable of medaling at Nationals for the next 3. Easily.

Why would someone with Michelle's record be content to finish in the middle of the pack when she was used to being the top three at Worlds for like a decade?

I'm sure Michele wants to announce her retirement whenever she's ready, but she's just delaying the inevitable.

[Lark]

Why would someone with Michelle's record be content to finish in the middle of the pack when she was used to being the top three at Worlds for like a decade?




Maybe, perhaps, could it be because she ENJOYS her sport? Wow, what a concept.

I know the odds are that while doing the UN work, Michelle will adopt a lifestyle that does not include competing. I just want some people to stop making that decision for her.

Also, wouldn't the idea of being 11 times U.S. Nationals Champion be something to strive for? That would just be icing on the cake. Who besides Kimmie would have a chance of beating Michelle, with Sasha out of the picture? Emily, Katy? LOLOLOLOL

[Schmeck]

Who knows if Kwan can even land a triple jump now - after surgery, after all this time not training, etc. Remember Lipinski after her surgery? I saw her at SOI, and it wasn't a pretty skate at all.

I doubt we'll ever see Kwan at Nationals, maybe not even at COI... I doubt we'll see Cohen back at Nationals either - and wouldn't both skaters have to go through regionals/sectionals to do Nationals after skipping a year? It's not like Cohen is injured, just opting not to skate.

[Schmeck]

OK, I just found this article right now, even though it's been online for a week :lol: :

http://www.usolympicteam.com/11506_50427.htm

There's a lot about her surgery, her recovery, and future plans...

[Lark]

Thanks for the article, Schmeck. That was a nice read.

I reiterate, though, that I realize Michelle will most likely never compete again. I just think we should be supportive of her decisions either way.

Not toss her under the bus at the sign of her first serious injury. :P

[Spider68]

Sheesh. I love Michelle as much as anyone else, but time for her to hold the press conference and announce her retirement from competitive "eligible" skating. Her bahavior (to me) strikes on self-denial and a degree of selfishness - she is no longer competitive. Move on and let the younger skaters have their moment in the limelight.

[icedancer2]

It's so funny that she watches her old programs on youtube!

Nice article. Thanks for sharing.

Put me in the camp of those that think she should retire, but if she does come back, only if she is 100% healthy and really can skate. It's too painful to watch otherwise... like seeing Alexei limp off the ice after he skates.:(

(Like watching me limp off the ice after I skate...8O )

[Spider68]

It's too painful to watch otherwise...

Icedancer, you hit the nail on the head. I guess that's what I wanted to say but couldn't find the words. Not only is it painful, it's embarassing. I just want to scream at the TV! "I don't care how much she feels the music, how artistic she is, how much she has contributed to the sport, her place in the record book, blah, blah, blah." -- she's no longer competitive. Please, Michelle, retire now.

[Helen88]

I think that if she keeps on competing at the highest level, like the Olympics and the Worlds, she runs the risk of ending her career completely with a serious injury. Having said that, I don't see why she souldn't keep skating and competing more gently. There's no reason to give up skating for good - just take it a wee bit more slowly.

[Lark]

she's no longer competitive. Please, Michelle, retire now.

Then it is official: There should be a rule that if you compete for more than 4 years, and you cannot crack the Top 6 at Worlds, you should be forced to give up your eligibility. No one wants to watch a skater who is not competitive! :roll: Maybe Worlds should just be like the Grand Prix Final! That way we do not have to waste our time or senses on anything but the Top 6 skaters!

That being said with all the sarcasm I can muster, I hope Michelle has the best life ever, regardless of what she wants to do.

[Nicki]

Sheesh. I love Michelle as much as anyone else, but time for her to hold the press conference and announce her retirement from competitive "eligible" skating. Her bahavior (to me) strikes on self-denial and a degree of selfishness - she is no longer competitive. Move on and let the younger skaters have their moment in the limelight.

I don't understand how Michelle not announcing her retirement is keeeping younger skaters from being in the limelight. If a skater has what it takes to medal, then they will be in the limelight, regardless of wether or not Michelle officially announces her retirement.

[sandyk]

I'm sure there are financial reasons why she doesn't make that announcement. Same with Sasha. I doubt seriously that either of them ever will be seriously competitive at the Worlds/Olympic level again--and I doubt seriously that either of them is really so misguided that they don't realize it--but if they make the announcement, they lose a lot of sponsorship/moneymaking opportunities. I'm sure they've both seen what happens to skaters who do give up their eligibility--they fade from public memory, and that means, less money.

Also, they've spent the last 15-20 years of their lives focused pretty much exclusively on skating. Post-skating career planning isn't something they've focused on. Certainly they are both capable people but I am guessing at the moment they are both feeling a bit adrift. Unlike most young people who are adrift, they have unlimited opportunities and the financial resources to do whatever they want. The trouble is, they probably don't know what they want. They are stars now--but soon they will be forgotten. Look at all the recent greats--yes, we skating fans who've been around a while remember them, but the little girls don't, and little girls are the heart and future of our sport. For years, Sasha and Michelle were the ladies the little girls admired, but soon, it will be Kimmie and others that the little girls will want to emulate. And soon, even Kimmie will be forgotten. Imagine, being washed up and forgotten in your 20s. It is probably a tough pill to swallow.

They may not want to or be able to keep skating, but on the other hand, they don't know what they DO want to do. Keeping your eligibility and doing the occasional press that alludes to a possible comeback makes you a more marketable commodity than being a pro/retired skater. And it buys them some time to figure out what they are going to do with the rest of their lives.

I look at it this way. Both of these ladies gave up their young lives and possibly their long term health to skating. Skating is hard on young bodies and my guess is the damage they've already done to their bodies is extensive and irreversible--and that if they have pain now, it will be much, much worse by the time they are in their 40s or 50s. So in my book, they now deserve to do whatever the heck makes them happy. And if that means teasing us skating fans periodically with the thought of an eligible comeback, well, more power to 'em!

[sunjoy]

And if that means teasing us skating fans periodically with the thought of an eligible comeback, well, more power to 'em!Yeah, these skaters have been very focussed and now find themselves perhaps with an embarassment of opportunities. It's hard for me not to want to armchair-psychoanalyze (even though I'll qualify right off that it's just idle speculation for the fun of it). Looking at both Sasha and Michelle, I don't know if "feeling adrift" is or isn't what's going on. They are both very driven people, they have lots of connections, and while taking a year to narrow-down and focus their priorities is probably wise, it's very likely *not* anywhere near the same feeling of feeling adrift that an unemployed college graduate might feel.

Skating is part of their identities though, and if it's hard for fans to let go of that, it must be even harder for the athletes. It's also a situation of being in your twenties and knowing that if the peak success of your life is not to have been already behind you, it will require taking some very scary risks. Yeah, show skating can be a profession, but does even skating at Madison Square Garden compare to the experience of medalling at the Olympic games? What could? Being the CEO of a successful company, being elected to high office, *maybe* *maybe* coaching an olympic athlete, being a pop-star (*cough* Sandhu *cough* (http://www.myspace.com/emanuelsandhu))? Again, all requiring scary risks. The idea of a come-back against Mao, Kimmie, etc, must feel much easier. Add to that the single-minded training mentality that they must have had since their Snowplow Sam days that said that they can and must overcome any obstacles and competition as far as skating goes. Whether *realistic* or not, they *know* in their hearts that they can achieve their wildest dreams as a competitive skater -- transfering that attitude to another vocation or modulating it into something else might seem harder to them than winning the World Championships!!

Ok, I've had my speculatory fun for the day.

I'll just add that I met Sasha at a meet and greet yesterday, and she very firmly said "I want to be there too [in 2010]".

*sigh* I guess as a fan, the thing to do is to :bow: at what they have achieved, and watch them navigate their futures as they would. And to keep an open eye out for the next generation of skaters who can transcend the sport and create wonderful moments on the ice.

[sk8erel]

U.S. Nationals without Michelle is like popcorn without butter!!!

Michelle IS U.S. skating! :cry:


It's a shame that Michelle isn't competing this year, but i'm sure she will be back on blades soon enough. Has she got another injury?
Sk8erel:roll: