# Should Michelle Kwan be given a spot on the US Figure Skating squad?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 13, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875 "2006-01-13T20:49:29Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2006, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/41 "2006-01-16T06:24:46Z")
> [@Operation Ripper](#):
>
> Now, after having given Kwan a spot Saturday night, the U.S. Figure Skating Association’s International Committee is aggravating the matter by saying it may yet change its mind: [cite](http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/13634761.htm). Wth?
If she’s not fit, she’s not one of the best we have. In that case, she shouldn’t go.
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### Author:  [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2006, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/42 "2006-01-16T06:47:42Z")
After watching the ladies long program I can’t argue with the final potential team.
Hughes, Cizny and Liang simply failed to step up to the plate. If they skated like that at an international competition there’s no way they’d medal.
But if Kwan is not up to snuff by the end of the month she shouldn’t be sent to Torino.
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### Author:  [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2006, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/43 "2006-01-16T09:57:32Z")
As a legitimate competition, Olympic figure skating is about two or three notches below The Amazing Race. Therefore, I find the argument that we should send “our best team” spurious. Look…_nobody has the slightest idea what’s going to happen_. Remember the double-gold debacle in the pairs competition last time? (I realize there were several possible outcomes to this, but under no circumstances were the Canadians and Russians tied _with the Russians winning the short program_.)
As long as Kwan is still presentable, at least reasonably photogenic, and in good health (that’s the big one), I say give her a spot. If someone else thinks she deserves it, let her make her case. I’m cool either way.
Damn, of all the things about this “sport” to get worked up about, this?
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### Author:  [@Leviosaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leviosaurus)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2006, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/44 "2006-01-16T10:46:50Z")
> [@DKW](#):
>
> Remember the double-gold debacle in the pairs competition last time? (I realize there were several possible outcomes to this, but under no circumstances were the Canadians and Russians tied _with the Russians winning the short program_.)
Excellent point. I remember when that happened, commentators were saying (paraphrase) ‘Well, this pretty much destroys any pretense that this is an actual sport…’
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### Author:  [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/45 "2006-01-16T15:35:02Z")
> [@twickster](#):
>
> I find her scary as hell, I really do. She has the eyes of an assassin.
Did you see her kiss and cry? She just skated her best long program ever (and she didn’t even fall down! A first!) and yet, her smile does not reach her eyes.
She needs some yoga or something.
Yay! Michelle is going. Hope she is well enough. IMO, this should be her last Olympics.
I like the cut of Emily Hughes and Meissner. My daughter no longer skates, but we still watch and enjoy.
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### Author:  [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2006, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/46 "2006-01-16T23:13:50Z")
What the hell, let’s dust Tanya Harding off, make her eligible again and let her compete. When she wasn’t whacking kneecaps or having hysterics, she could actually skate.
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### Author:  [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2006, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/47 "2006-01-17T02:21:30Z")
> [@Clothahump](#):
>
> What the hell, let’s dust Tanya Harding off, make her eligible again and let her compete. When she wasn’t whacking kneecaps or having hysterics, she could actually skate.
You know, given the train wreck she’s become, it’s sometimes hard to remember that she’s one of the few women to have ever landed a triple axel in competition.
As for the controversy at hand, while I’m not exactly Michelle Kwan’s biggest fan (there’s just something about her that rubs me the wrong way, can’t really put my finger on it), I figure that if she firmly believes she’ll be well enough to be competitive by the time of the Olympics, she might as well get one last shot at the gold.
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### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/48 "2006-02-12T09:27:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Michelle Kwan dropped out of the Olympics on Sunday morning, one day after she cut short a practice because of a recurring groin injury.
>
> The U.S. figure skater said Saturday she didn’t want to drop out, but would have to “listen to my body.” She missed last month’s U.S. nationals with a groin injury, and needed a medical bye onto the Turin team.
Source: [http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/12/D8FNETN81.html](http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/12/D8FNETN81.html)
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/49 "2006-02-12T10:47:24Z")
Emily Hughes, pack your bags…you’re going to TORINO! I’m sad for Kwan, but happy for Emily.
So now it’s Irina Slutskaya vs. Sasha Cohen. I love Sasha but I’ll bet Irina isn’t too awfully worried about her.
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### Author:  [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/50 "2006-02-12T11:47:32Z")
> [@Equipoise](#):
>
> Emily Hughes, pack your bags…you’re going to TORINO! I’m sad for Kwan, but happy for Emily.
>
> So now it’s Irina Slutskaya vs. Sasha Cohen. I love Sasha but I’ll bet Irina isn’t too awfully worried about her.
Am I the only one to think Sasha appears to be a bitch on wheels?
Granted, she can skate like it was second nature, and I am in awe of her talent, but there is something about her that makes me dislike her immensely.
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### Author:  [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/51 "2006-02-12T12:07:27Z")
> [@DMark](#):
>
> Am I the only one to think Sasha appears to be a bitch on wheels?
> Granted, she can skate like it was second nature, and I am in awe of her talent, but there is something about her that makes me dislike her immensely.
No-not by a long shot. Sasha needs to become human or something–she comes across as stiff, ungracious, entitled and demanding. I have never seen her smile. I think she is inconsistent in her skating–at times she is brilliant, but there is always a LOOK AT ME quality about her jumps, moves and choreography. Kwan, Sarah Hughes, Irina, the Ukraine gal–all had a fluidity and sensousness about their skating. Well, not so much Hughes, but she had a Liza Minelli quality–a brash, in your face, FUN attitude. Sasha gets out there and I swear I think of the Japanese Death March. So grim and determined–that medal is MINE, goddammit! type stuff. Ugh.
[related sort of]–when is Dick Button going to retire? I would wish death on him, but I’m not sure that’s in the rules. I for one am tired of listening to him go all Child Protective Services Warning on these young girls, and especially in regards to Sasha Cohen. He creeps us out over here–we have started counting the inappropriate remarks he makes. Someone must have gotten to him, since he has toned it down a bit lately. He skated back in the dark ages–why not Todd Eldridge or Kurt or Scott Hamilton to comment? I can’t listen to Dick (who is such a !)[/related sort of]
I am so sad for Kwan. I know this must have been so hard for her to do–but it is time to move on. I am so glad that my daughter had such a role model for athleticism, sportmanship and grace. She will be remembered long after Sasha is living in Eastbrook and coaching at the local rink.
I am cheering Emily Hughes on–I don’t want to see Sasha get “Michelle’s” gold.
I know that has nothing to do with the sport and the competition, just my feelings.
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/52 "2006-02-12T12:22:33Z")
I’ve seen Sasha smile, but it’s kinda creepy when she does it. I think of **Jaws**. Cold, dead eyes, like a shark. I think she’s a beautiful skater (I’m a sucker for spirals, and she’s got the best around), but she terrifies me. But see, I loved Tonya Harding too, because of her fierce skating. She terrifed me too though.
Irina has a real chance to show her stuff. Best of luck to them all.
Off topic, but…Hooray for that couple who made Olympic history last night with their throw triple axel! That was beautiful.
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### Author:  [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/53 "2006-02-12T12:26:00Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#):
>
> I am so sad for Kwan. I know this must have been so hard for her to do–but it is time to move on. I am so glad that my daughter had such a role model for athleticism, sportmanship and grace. She will be remembered long after Sasha is living in Eastbrook and coaching at the local rink.
>
> I am cheering Emily Hughes on–I don’t want to see Sasha get “Michelle’s” gold.
> I know that has nothing to do with the sport and the competition, just my feelings.
How pathetic. Kwan knowingly bullied her way onto this team, when she and everyone else in the womens figure skating’s inner circle knew she was unfit.
Kwan hadn’t competed in almost all of the qualifying events this year and used her popularity to steal Hughes’ earned spot. How is that in any way sportsmanlike or graceful?
What Kwan actually wound up doing was hampering the 3rd best US skater’s, Hughes’, chances of medaling by way of her selfishness, her egocentric lusting for a gold medal. There is no way Hughes can be prepared now as she would have been had she been on the team from the get go. Kwan had her chances in her prime and failed.
There is no such thing as " ‘Michelle’s’ gold.’" Sweet Jeebus.
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### Author:  [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/54 "2006-02-12T12:30:19Z")
At this point Hughes is still not guaranteed a spot on the team, as Kwan’s reasons for withdrawing may be considered “pre-existing” and her spot not allowed to be substituted for as it was not vacated under “extraordinary circumstances.”
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/55 "2006-02-12T12:33:17Z")
I have no doubts she’ll be able to substitute, and you can bet Emily has been keeping herself fit and ready to go just in case. She’s not in Torino yet (she’s still in New York, which could be socked by a blizzard) but she has over a week to get there and get used to the ice. I’m sure she and her family have been keeping their bags packed and ready.
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### Author:  [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/56 "2006-02-12T12:38:49Z")
> [@Equipoise](#):
>
> I have no doubts she’ll be able to substitute, and you can bet Emily has been keeping herself fit and ready to go just in case. She’s not in Torino yet (she’s still in New York, which could be socked by a blizzard) but she has over a week to get there and get used to the ice. I’m sure she and her family have been keeping their bags packed and ready.
You are right, the rules were bent again in Kwan’s favor, [cite.](http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olympics/chi-060212kwan-story,1,7676016.story?coll=chi-news-hed)
Regardless, this whole affair has not been fair to Hughes in any fashion, IMHO.
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/57 "2006-02-12T12:58:53Z")
> [@DMark](#):
>
> Am I the only one to think Sasha appears to be a bitch on wheels?
> Granted, she can skate like it was second nature, and I am in awe of her talent, but there is something about her that makes me dislike her immensely.
Nope, see above – she gives a lot of us the creeps.
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### Author:  [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/58 "2006-02-12T13:03:12Z")
> [@twickster](#):
>
> Nope, see above – she gives a lot of us the creeps.
Yes, let’s judge athletes by their appearence. That worked well with African Americans.
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/59 "2006-02-12T13:14:16Z")
> [@Operation Ripper](#):
>
> Regardless, this whole affair has not been fair to Hughes in any fashion, IMHO.
It’s not that big a deal. Michelle had earned the right to try, first by her Worlds performance, and then by her skating for the panel of…whoever those people were that she skated in front of (I tuned out and didn’t get the whole story, just that they approved her).
Michelle Kwan was an alternate herself in 1994, and had to be ready in case Nancy Kerrigan, who was injured and received a medical bye to be able to go to the Olympics, couldn’t skate. Kerrigan skated and Kwan didn’t.
Emily Hughes was an alternate, and had to be ready in case Michelle Kwan, who was injured and received a medical bye to be able to go to the Olympics, couldn’t skate. Kwan can’t, and so Emily can.
I still don’t understand what the big deal about any of this is. Were the current Kwan bitchers bitching that Kerrigan shouldn’t have gone to Lillehammer because she was injured? That Kwan in 1994 deserved a guarantee she could skate? Probably not, because the bitching seems to have more to do with being anti-Kwan than being pro-rules.
I would almost guarantee that Emily Hughes herself never fumed about Kwan for even a second. Kwan’s a legend (who not to mention had already been beaten by Emily’s sister) and Emily respects both Kwan and rules.
I’m sure she’s one beaming kid now!
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-kwan-be-given-a-spot-on-the-us-figure-skating-squad/339875/60 "2006-02-12T13:16:07Z")
> [@Operation Ripper](#):
>
> Yes, let’s judge athletes by their appearence. That worked well with African Americans.
Ok, that’s just bizarre.
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