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Kwan says no to Vancouver 2010 run; opts for grad school
Posted by Ron Judd
The faint hopes of a lot of Michelle Kwan fans were dashed today when the five-time world and nine-time skating champion announced she'll start graduate school rather than make another run at the Olympics in Vancouver next February.
Kwan, 29, told the Associated Press she'll begin graduate classes in international affairs at Tufts University.
"Skating will always be a part of me," Kwan told the AP. "But in the bigger picture of my life, I have always wanted to find a career that will allow me to make a positive contribution and difference in the world."
It's a logical decision for Kwan, who likely will be offered an on-air commentary job at the Games by NBC, and who has expressed interest in becoming a diplomat. While Kwan's presence on a U.S. squad likely would have been a ratings boon for NBC, many skating experts had quietly hoped Kwan would resist the urge -- it would be difficult for the graceful Kwan, they said, to compete under the new skating scoring system, which favors athletic skating, and also tends to favor younger skaters.
Kwan will retire from the sport as arguably the greatest U.S. champion of all time -- but alas, without that skating-career-deal-sealing Olympic gold medal. Her retirement from the sport has left a hole that has not come close to being filled in the eyes of skating fans. Kwan, with a world-wide following, is one of the most popular skaters of all time.
The announcement is likely to increase the spotlight on returning veteran Sasha (NOT Baron) Cohen, the 2006 Turin silver medalist, who recently announced plans to stage a comeback she hopes will lead to a Vancouver Games Olympic slot. The U.S., due to poor performances at the past two world championships, will send only two female skaters to Vancouver.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
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