Sept. 17 Michelle Kwan L.A. Times article

[jcspkbfan]

Someone typed this article (and posted the accompanying photos) on MKF--hope nobody minds me posting the link here--it answers a few of the questions some people had about her plans for this season:

http://pub1.ezboard.com/fmichellekwanforummkfanchat.showMessage?topicID=15 756.topic

[JDC1]

Thanks for the link. How fantastic that she has all these opportunities before her!! I am so psyched that Disney and Chevy value in her what all of her fans value in her, her grace in victory or defeat her integrity, the fact that she values education and thinks of others. I am not trying to imply other skaters lack it but her committment to her sport and her record (for now) is simply unmatched and is certainly worthy of respect and being helf up as an example.

[Aaron W]

Thanks for the link. Enjoyed reading about what's going on in her life.

I'm thinking maybe it would be best for Michelle to take the entire season off from competitive skating, then ask herself next summer how much she missed it. If she missed it a lot, then come back the following season. Explore what the skating world is like without the competitive pressures and make a decision then.

Best of luck to her with the decision. It certainly would seem strange not having Michelle at Nationals, but everyone has to move on at some point.

[skatingfan3]

Aaron W.

I agreed with you. That's what Phil Hersh suggested to Michelle, take a year off and see how much she miss it.

Meanwhile, it will be a little strange if Michelle doesn't up at Nationals, but I for one is ready to move on the next generation. It's another Olympic cycle and I'm not even talking about Hughes, Cohen, Nikodinov, etc. You hear skaters like Amy Bobrick (sp ??), who got good feedback from the audience in "Alexei Yagudin & Friends" charity show. Some say she remind alot of people of the young Michelle Kwan. Frank Carroll's new student, 13 year old Danielle Kahle (young Tara??), etc. I know they're juniors now, if they do well in the upcoming season, they'll move up to the seniors very soon.

Come on, Michelle went to two Olympics, ten Nationals and nine Worlds, she has a great career and she will be a legend despite missing the Olympic gold twice.

Deborah

[Dave Amorde]

Amy Bobrick is 16 years old, IIRC, and may indeed be ready to move up to Senior soon. Danielle Kahle is only 13, and is in her first year as a Junior. She might decide to move up quickly, but I'm kinda hoping she doesn't. With international age restrictions, and the potential for overtraining injuries, what's the rush?

http://SWPSkating.com/daniellekahle.html

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Dave Amorde
Amy Bobrick is 16 years old, IIRC, and may indeed be ready to move up to Senior soon.

She's also going into her third season at the junior level, and skaters rarely stay at one level much longer than that (until they hit seniors, of course). IMO she's plenty ready for seniors in terms of the level of her skating, and the only reason to stay in juniors is that she's never made nationals at that level.

Danielle Kahle is only 13, and is in her first year as a Junior. She might decide to move up quickly, but I'm kinda hoping she doesn't. With international age restrictions, and the potential for overtraining injuries, what's the rush?

It probably depends on where she finishes. The top three have moved up every year for as long as I can remember (which is back to about 1995). It seems to be actually getting more common and accepted for the slightly lower-ranked skaters (4-6 at nationals, for instance) to stay in juniors if they feel they're not ready for seniors, probably because of how crowded the senior ranks are right now. Spending too much time in juniors isn't a good idea, but in Danielle's case she's certainly young enough that a second year could be more beneficial than anything. Of course, if she looks really fabulous going into the 2003-04 season, she might be better off moving up.

[flippet]

Originally posted by Dave Amorde

http://SWPSkating.com/daniellekahle.html

Speaking of Tara...isn't the yellow dress Danielle's wearing on the left nearly identical to Tara's Walking on Sunshine dress?

She looks like she's got sparkle...I'd love to actually see her skate sometime.

[Ellyn]

Originally posted by Trillian
It probably depends on where she finishes. The top three have moved up every year for as long as I can remember (which is back to about 1995).

Except for Erin Pearl, who was 2nd in juniors at 1997 Nationals and 3rd at the same level in 1998.

We're just talking about ladies, right?

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Ellyn
Except for Erin Pearl, who was 2nd in juniors at 1997 Nationals and 3rd at the same level in 1998.

And as much as I liked her skating, you'd think I'd have remembered that. :oops: Otoh, it's worth pointing out that the one in the top three who didn't move up finished lower rather than higher the next season.

We're just talking about ladies, right?

Oh yeah. I know plenty more have stayed down in other disciplines. :)

[spiralsrfun]

That was a great article!
Well, according to that we'll know something by the end of the month about her plans.

Michelle has a lot to think about, but she has a great perspective (as always) and in the end will make the best decision for her.

[Patty]

Here's the link to the actual LA Times article (need to join LA Times for free):
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-kwan17sep17.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dsports

[Scott]

I can only say that Miss Kwan is a class act. She is what used to be referred to as a Lady in every respect. By this I mean she has a presence and elegance that few will ever have. I am in awe of her and think that she is one of the great role models for us all! She doesn't need a olympic gold medal, she has something far greater.

[AxelAnnie22]

Given that Michelle is a spokesperson for Disney (which owns ABC) I would be surprised to see her NOT competing this season. Michelle is a huge star, and enormous TV draw. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out. It is almost as much fun as watching GUIDING LIGHT!

[RobinA]

Is anyone else bothered by how incredibly commercial this as all become? I'm not necessarily faulting Michelle for taking advantage of financial opportunities, but skating stars pushing theme parks? It just makes me a tad queasy. I'd rather see her (and every other elite skater) making a ton of money skating....or in an actual profession. Selling the name you made through hard work and accomplishment to the corporate machine just seems somehow...yucky...to me.

[JDC1]

I don't have any more of a problem with Michelle pushing a theme park than Michael Jordan selling sneakers, Tara L. selling Snapple, Sarah H. lending her name to GE etc. etc. Why shouldn't they make money if they like the company and or believe in the product? I think it's great she and Disney have this great relationship and they can both benefit from this involvment.

[Lark]

Heck, after spending 1/2 a million bucks to get where she, and any other Elite skater is, I would think that most would sell anything that they believe in, just to recoup their costs.
I, for one, would love to see more skaters on commercials. Matt could sell Spaghettios, Latetia could sell Bounty paper towels (the quicker picker upper! Get it?!? LOLOL), etc. I love seeing skaters on TV in any fashion.
:P

[RobinA]

Sarah believes in GE?

I guess my queasiness about this just shows my age and ex-hippiehood. I feel the same way about Tiger Woods. Why the heck is this guy selling cars? Isn't there a point of accomplishment at which you should just be beyond shilling?

[ARTIQUE]

How could it be otherwise with such an impressive skating career like Kwan has & hopefully will continue to have if my skating wish is realized. Good to know that a classy dame like Michelle is appreciated for more than her exquisite edges.

[JDC1]

Well I know nothing about Tiger Woods but I do the Kwans sacrificed alot for Michelle and Karen to skate and my guess is that they feel more comfortable with the "extra" money from endorsements. And Michelle has said she's not clear on a career path so maybe this whole Disney thing fits into her idea of either being a sports caster or the next Katie Couric. Well I don't have an ounce of hippidom in me but I can admire it in others. :-) I am warm hearted capitalist and believe capitalism is a wonderful thing. Now if you want to get me started we could get on the whole Anna Kornikova thing...she hasn't won any major championships by herself but because she's blonde and beautiful people pay her to wear their watches and their bras and underwear. Atleast accomplish something first. I guess I do have a little hippy in me because I always hope they give a lot of money to charities. :-)

[cienicsk8]

I thought the article was great, and I don't see why Michelle shouldn't take advantage of the financial opportunities that come her way, I mean she can't skate forever!
I actually posted a link to this article on the Sarah Hughes not skating in 9/11 show thread. I was one of those wondering why Michelle wouldn't be doing the show.
Now I know, she's getting on with her life and seeing what else life has to offer besides skating.
Maybe it will renew her love for skating, if she finds she misses it, and she will go on to get that Olympic Gold.
Maybe she'll find something new that makes her happy, and entertain folks in a different arena.
Whatever she does, I say Good Luck!

[Dave Amorde]

Originally posted by flippet
Speaking of Tara...isn't the yellow dress Danielle's wearing on the left nearly identical to Tara's Walking on Sunshine dress?

[Danielle Kahle] looks like she's got sparkle...I'd love to actually see her skate sometime.

It is Tara's WOS dress! :) Danielle skated to WOS as her exhibition in Los Angeles.

[skatingfan3]

I reread the article carefully. Michelle Kwan didn't get any new endorsements, rather the companies she was working for (Disney, Chevrolet) extended her contract to "x" number of years. That's great, instead of having big companies like Disney and Chevy say "Thanks, Michelle, it has been great working with you, but we decided to sign someone else instead of renewing yours."

Her Disney contract gave her broader duties, maybe that's one reason she's thinking about taking time off (I know she'll decide in two weeks). I am not surprised she is the highest paid skater of COI. She's the most popular and she's been with COI forever.

I'd say Sarah Hughes is the only Olympian came out big. She's the only one that I know has two big endorsements - GE & Campbell Soup, plus 2 skating specials with NBC and appeared on a Wheaties box.

Deborah

[adrianchew]

This is a reprint of the article at a site you don't have to sign up for...

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20020919/2048000.asp

[speedy]

I'm a Disney World nut myself, we go there as much as we can for vacations, so I'm doubly glad they're paying Michelle to represent them. She will definitely continue to be a great asset to their company, as well as Chevrolet. Loved the "salchow" joke in Mulan 2, that's so cool that they're working her into some films. Dallas will definitely not be as much fun without her there if she decides not to compete, but hopefully she will be back next year...she's got a lot of skating left in her I'm sure if she's willing to continue down that path. As far as skaters making money off of endorsements and ads, :roll: , I'd MUCH rather see Michelle or any other skater in ads than numerous other athletes I can think of...Anna Kournikova not withstanding. :D

[duane]

i too see nothing wrong with michelle pushing, of all things, a theme park. i have more of a problem with the many athletes who push sneakers made by cheap labor in sweat shops.

regarding the article...nice, but do articles on michelle have to continually deal with the "marketability without olympic gold medal" theme? we know already, and we also know why: because michelle has been the dominate force in female FS since 1996, with many other "golds" to show for it.

[skatingfan3]

Thank you, duane, for saying that "marketability without the Olympic gold theme" articles. I'm glad for Michelle but it does get a little tiring when articles keep mentioning that. She does have other "gold" - 6 Nationals, 4 Worlds and many internationals.

There are similar articles on that subject after the '98 Olympics - how Michelle scored more endorsements than Tara.


Deborah

[NorthernLite]

Originally posted by RobinA
Sarah believes in GE?
I guess my queasiness about this just shows my age and ex-hippiehood. I feel the same way about Tiger Woods. Why the heck is this guy selling cars?

Har, RobinA -- I also feel that way about *most* of corporate America and athlete endorers. I seem to recall a couple years ago when John Hughes said they didn't want their kid selling products. (Unlike the financial situation of some other skaters, they didn't have quite as dire a *need* for the extra income.) But I think their post-Olys approach has been to get with sponsors who will also be involved in charity work that interests Sarah (ala MK and the scholarships).

For example, I've heard that GE & the Hughes camp are developing a program to recognize people in the medical field. And Sarah's also pushing the Campbell's labels for school thingy. To me that's a little better than just shilling for everything that comes your way.