One thing I will always admire about her is how graciously and professionally she handled herself in tough moments. You can see the pain in her face here, like we saw it in Nagano and Salt lake City... But always carried herself with class and said the right things.
Peggy Fleming said : Michelle Kwan is special. She teaches people how to win and how to lose. When she came back to win the 2003 World championship, she wrote herself in the book. 👍👍👍💯
Actually, if people held the Olympics each year, Michelle would win the most golds in the history. Michelle kwan finished no lower than 3rd place between 1995 ~ 2004 , her longevity was unreal and hard to close for the other skaters. Her artistry and technique were great and stable.
I hate that she had to drop out but I also understand. She has skated before while not completely at her best but she has pushed through and given excellent performances, so this must be really bad for her to drop out. Michelle, to me, is an Olympic gold medal winner and the two Olympics where she should have legitimately been a gold medal winner are just some judges making poor decisions. Anyone who thinks she dropped out just because she thought she couldn't win is making an absurd assumption and doesn't know Michelle well at all. To listen to her explain is heartbreaking. By giving up her spot she is giving someone else a chance to have their dream. Michelle is not selfish at all. This will be a great opportunity for another skater. I have totally enjoyed watching this young lady skate since she first came into the scene in 1993. She is truly one of, ❤️if not the best and most graceful skaters ever and she should be very proud of her accomplishments.
@@smurfiennes Lol. In some peoples eyes and the ones that evidently matter, she didn’t win but imo (that unfortunately does not count at all) she was the clear winner.
Michelle was out jumped by Lipinski who 3 flip 3 flip and Michelle 3 combo nothing. The same phenomena in 02. Both Sarah and Lipinski earned it. I love Michelle but my eyes have to be honest. She was technically underwritten for Gold both seasons.
@@smurfiennes Tara's flip and lutz would be called out for under rotation today.🤣🤣🤣 Tara's triples were cheap. Tiny, rushed jumps. Under the new system, Tara's technique wouldn't get marks. 🤭🤭🤭 Michelle kwan was robbed. 😎
All these years later, I'm still sad that Michelle didn't come back after this. I know she has moved on to bigger things since retiring but I miss seeing her in the competitive skating world as she was my very first introduction to the world of figure skating. I don't know how she would do if she were competing nowadays considering the different scoring system and the insane level of technical skills that today's competitors have. But she will always be a figure skating legend to me.
@@electrictroy2010 Michelle kwan finished no lower than 3rd place between 1995 ~ 2004, her longevity was unreal and hard to close for the other skaters. Michelle kwan worked so hard and took care herself so well to keep top for more than 10 years. She became a legend.
Many of ye are as bad as the Simone Biles haters. Simone withdrew because she knew she couldn’t compete (and gave the open spot to someone else). Michelle did the same
SOB media pressured her into practicing without her coach there and she got injured because of rushing. FU to anyone thinks the girl that owned Skating for years didn't deserve this spot
Absolutely! She didn't take anything away from anyone....Emily Hughes still had her moment to shine.....Sasha got the Silver and Kimmie Meissner became World Champ! Kwan is a legend and had EVERY right to be on that Olympic Team! 💖🇺🇲⛸️
To this day, I still don’t understand why she fired her coach mere months before the 2002 Olympics, and the reason she gave made no sense. As involved as her dad was in her career, I don’t understand why he would give his blessing to fire Frank Carroll. I mean, was she trying to make a statement, trying to show the world that she would be the first coach less figure skater to win Oly gold? Either way, having her coach w/ her at the most important competition of her career seems a lot smarter than going it alone.
Dallas Texas nope, Michelle didn't have it anymore, she could not pull off those triples like they need to now and she knew it. She seen the others pulling off triples and she knew she couldn't in the long program.
At that age she just put her body through too much, plus the new system would not have been kind to a skater in her mid twenties at this point like Michelle. Also, you should be a Michelle Kwan fan because she was a great skater, and a good sport!
I have said some very ugly things about this young woman. I am not proud of some of the things I have said, I don't think she's all that great, I do think she was held up many many times, I don't think she should have done what she did, however I wonder what pressure was put on her. She said something in an interview, something to the effect of 'I don't know what you want from me', so I find myself realizing that corruption/predetermination is a reality in USFS, and she may have been subject to pushing from other people. Her family, her sponsors, I don't know and it's time for me to let go of any hate or resentment of this young woman. I truly wish her the best, and that she finds **herself** and is happy.
You’re as bad as the Simone Biles haters. Simone withdrew because she knew she couldn’t compete (and gave the open spot to someone else). Michelle did the same
Sandy Vale. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror, and see what you see. Michelle was looking at her future, and possibly she was going to take a break from figure skating until she recovered, who knows what she would be doing five or six years from now. Michelle was never a quitter. Michelle has passion. She has been trying newer things.
I recall this back in the day. Shizuoka did only what she carefully had to do to ensure she won the gold. In practices she did triple triple triple triple. Michelle didn’t want to end up off the podium in 6 th place. She was done. She was saving face. If you listen it is about a warrior knowing she simply cannot fight well enough. She wanted to end on her terms and she did. In 2002 she was lucky to get the bronze. Her sp was good. Sasha was a star. Great SP. she dumped Frank and Laurie because they always played it safe on the technical score. Michell should have been pushed to do triple triples. I hated seeing Amber Corbin and Jenny be under marked every year when they would skate great a Nationals. Mi hells is a talented lovely woman who gave us some fabulous skates. We loved her and I still do. But this ending was sad. She really couldn’t compete. I always wonder what she showed the commute who came to her rink. She really didn’t embrace COP. And she would show the judges her triple triple in practice and always leave it out of the program. Frank Carol taught her to do this. Rely on the second mark Michelle. I wish she had pushed herself to A jump coach much sooner.Sigh.
Shizuka did not just what she had to win. You make it sound like she was holding back this super high technical program lol. She was able to perform the bare minimum to win and was lucky the other two top skaters fell apart that skated AFTER her. The fact that Sasha flopped so many times and still got silver shows how poor the skating at this Olympics was besides Fumie Suguri and somewhat Shizuka. Shizuka never landed triple triple triples in competition and never would. Even most of her more difficult triple combos were severely underrotated. To say that Frank Carroll taught Michelle to hold back is a complete joke. As talented as Michelle was she would not have been as great of a champion without Frank and Lori. After she left nothing improved and her programs only regressed to a shell of her former programs but she got the independence she wanted. Frank advising to not put in combinations you can't land 80% of the time in practice is smart, not dumb. Michelle's triple flip was a ticking time bomb in 2002 after leaving Frank. Some people think Rafael was the second coming of jesus when it comes to Michelle's jumps but they were not flawed to begin with.
She was never going to compete because she was not in shape...which is why she told Hughes to keep practicing as if she was competing for sure...this was about figure skating as a business...plain and simple...anyone who skates knew she was not in competitive shape by looking at her...smart move endorsement wise to go over there...she is still the only skater to carry me on the journey with her.
Cassandra Howell I agree. She did not hurt herself that bad in practice to have to withdrawal. She could see the triple triples being done and knew she couldn't do them and was not in shape to do the. This was just a escapade , she was not in shape or had intentions of skating. No skater practices for 4 yrs and then just pulls out like that. It was a money spin and they say it had a lot to do with her father.
You’re as bad as the Simone Biles haters. Simone withdrew because she knew she couldn’t compete (and gave the open spot to someone else). Michelle did the same
@@falconeddie4109 lot of money because she didn't WD. Millions of views for NBC and sponsors because of the practice news and this live press conference
Yes, totally agree. She was completely out of shape. She went to Turin to say goodbye to the sport. NBC got their money because of this live press conference.
@@flywings111 Michelle Kwan worked so hard , she skated with her heart. Tara Lipinski retired and turned pro because she loves MONEY more than the skating sport. Michelle was much greater than Tara Lipinski.
@@flywings111 Sarah Hughes was lucky and overrated to win the 2002 Olympics, and she placed 6th at the 2003 World championship, then she retired at her 17 years old. Sarah Hughes just likes Tara Lipinski that they all gave up so easy. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
One thing I will always admire about her is how graciously and professionally she handled herself in tough moments. You can see the pain in her face here, like we saw it in Nagano and Salt lake City... But always carried herself with class and said the right things.
Peggy Fleming said : Michelle Kwan is special. She teaches people how to win and how to lose. When she came back to win the 2003 World championship, she wrote herself in the book. 👍👍👍💯
Actually, if people held the Olympics each year, Michelle would win the most golds in the history.
Michelle kwan finished no lower than 3rd place between 1995 ~ 2004 , her longevity was unreal and hard to close for the other skaters.
Her artistry and technique were great and stable.
Just seeing this now I miss her so much on the Ice
I hate that she had to drop out but I also understand. She has skated before while not completely at her best but she has pushed through and given excellent performances, so this must be really bad for her to drop out. Michelle, to me, is an Olympic gold medal winner and the two Olympics where she should have legitimately been a gold medal winner are just some judges making poor decisions. Anyone who thinks she dropped out just because she thought she couldn't win is making an absurd assumption and doesn't know Michelle well at all. To listen to her explain is heartbreaking. By giving up her spot she is giving someone else a chance to have their dream. Michelle is not selfish at all. This will be a great opportunity for another skater. I have totally enjoyed watching this young lady skate since she first came into the scene in 1993. She is truly one of, ❤️if not the best and most graceful skaters ever and she should be very proud of her accomplishments.
No, she should not have "legitimately been a gold medal winner" in 2002...do you not remember those big errors in her long program?
She didn’t win those golds. Sorry, Sarah and Tara did. The judges didn’t make any mistakes, they both skated much better than she did.
@@smurfiennes Lol. In some peoples eyes and the ones that evidently matter, she didn’t win but imo (that unfortunately does not count at all) she was the clear winner.
Michelle was out jumped by Lipinski who 3 flip 3 flip and Michelle 3 combo nothing. The same phenomena in 02. Both Sarah and Lipinski earned it. I love Michelle but my eyes have to be honest. She was technically underwritten for Gold both seasons.
@@smurfiennes Tara's flip and lutz would be called out for under rotation today.🤣🤣🤣
Tara's triples were cheap. Tiny, rushed jumps.
Under the new system, Tara's technique wouldn't get marks. 🤭🤭🤭
Michelle kwan was robbed. 😎
All these years later, I'm still sad that Michelle didn't come back after this. I know she has moved on to bigger things since retiring but I miss seeing her in the competitive skating world as she was my very first introduction to the world of figure skating. I don't know how she would do if she were competing nowadays considering the different scoring system and the insane level of technical skills that today's competitors have. But she will always be a figure skating legend to me.
Her body was too old/damaged to continue competing. It happens to all athletes eventually.
@@electrictroy2010 Michelle kwan finished no lower than 3rd place between 1995 ~ 2004, her longevity was unreal and hard to close for the other skaters.
Michelle kwan worked so hard and took care herself so well to keep top for more than 10 years.
She became a legend.
Many of ye are as bad as the Simone Biles haters. Simone withdrew because she knew she couldn’t compete (and gave the open spot to someone else). Michelle did the same
SOB media pressured her into practicing without her coach there and she got injured because of rushing. FU to anyone thinks the girl that owned Skating for years didn't deserve this spot
@Mountain Lover She's the reason they had 3 spots.
Absolutely! She didn't take anything away from anyone....Emily Hughes still had her moment to shine.....Sasha got the Silver and Kimmie Meissner became World Champ! Kwan is a legend and had EVERY right to be on that Olympic Team! 💖🇺🇲⛸️
@Mountain Lover She is the reason they had 3 spots. It would be like leaving Simone Biles home. You people are idiots.lol
@@gymstyle5091love this comment
Nobody can push an athlete to compete if she herself doesn’t want to. It’s her life, time and energy, nobody else’s business imo.
GO KIDS
To this day, I still don’t understand why she fired her coach mere months before the 2002 Olympics, and the reason she gave made no sense. As involved as her dad was in her career, I don’t understand why he would give his blessing to fire Frank Carroll. I mean, was she trying to make a statement, trying to show the world that she would be the first coach less figure skater to win Oly gold? Either way, having her coach w/ her at the most important competition of her career seems a lot smarter than going it alone.
Michelle kwan challenged herself more than challenged the 2002 Olympics...... And yes, she shouldn't be alone there without Frank Carroll .
However, Michelle skated with the truly Olympics spirit, when she came back to win the 2003 World championship, she wrote herself in the book.
Hi
YOU STILL GOOD(BECAUSE HULK SAY SO)Spidey Say so Spider Woman say so....{TCderty} NOW HULK GO BYE BYE.
Not a kwan fan but had she skated at her best she would have won.
vistaprime completely agree. Shizuka only landed 5 triples I believe to win.
Dallas Texas nope, Michelle didn't have it anymore, she could not pull off those triples like they need to now and she knew it. She seen the others pulling off triples and she knew she couldn't in the long program.
I agree
We never saw her LP but the US Olympic Committee did. They thought she was good enough to send to the 2006 Olympics.
At that age she just put her body through too much, plus the new system would not have been kind to a skater in her mid twenties at this point like Michelle. Also, you should be a Michelle Kwan fan because she was a great skater, and a good sport!
I have said some very ugly things about this young woman. I am not proud of some of the things I have said, I don't think she's all that great, I do think she was held up many many times, I don't think she should have done what she did, however I wonder what pressure was put on her. She said something in an interview, something to the effect of 'I don't know what you want from me', so I find myself realizing that corruption/predetermination is a reality in USFS, and she may have been subject to pushing from other people. Her family, her sponsors, I don't know and it's time for me to let go of any hate or resentment of this young woman. I truly wish her the best, and that she finds **herself** and is happy.
You’re as bad as the Simone Biles haters. Simone withdrew because she knew she couldn’t compete (and gave the open spot to someone else). Michelle did the same
Sandy Vale. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror, and see what you see. Michelle was looking at her future, and possibly she was going to take a break from figure skating until she recovered, who knows what she would be doing five or six years from now. Michelle was never a quitter. Michelle has passion. She has been trying newer things.
Hi, you loser in your life. 🤣🤣🤣
Don't give up to be a Olympics joke. 🤭🤭🤭
Could you speak human language before you slander Michelle ? 🤪
I recall this back in the day. Shizuoka did only what she carefully had to do to ensure she won the gold. In practices she did triple triple triple triple. Michelle didn’t want to end up off the podium in 6 th place. She was done. She was saving face. If you listen it is about a warrior knowing she simply cannot fight well enough. She wanted to end on her terms and she did. In 2002 she was lucky to get the bronze. Her sp was good. Sasha was a star. Great SP. she dumped Frank and Laurie because they always played it safe on the technical score. Michell should have been pushed to do triple triples. I hated seeing Amber Corbin and Jenny be under marked every year when they would skate great a Nationals. Mi hells is a talented lovely woman who gave us some fabulous skates. We loved her and I still do. But this ending was sad. She really couldn’t compete. I always wonder what she showed the commute who came to her rink. She really didn’t embrace COP. And she would show the judges her triple triple in practice and always leave it out of the program. Frank Carol taught her to do this. Rely on the second mark Michelle. I wish she had pushed herself to A jump coach much sooner.Sigh.
Shizuka did not just what she had to win. You make it sound like she was holding back this super high technical program lol. She was able to perform the bare minimum to win and was lucky the other two top skaters fell apart that skated AFTER her. The fact that Sasha flopped so many times and still got silver shows how poor the skating at this Olympics was besides Fumie Suguri and somewhat Shizuka. Shizuka never landed triple triple triples in competition and never would. Even most of her more difficult triple combos were severely underrotated. To say that Frank Carroll taught Michelle to hold back is a complete joke. As talented as Michelle was she would not have been as great of a champion without Frank and Lori. After she left nothing improved and her programs only regressed to a shell of her former programs but she got the independence she wanted. Frank advising to not put in combinations you can't land 80% of the time in practice is smart, not dumb. Michelle's triple flip was a ticking time bomb in 2002 after leaving Frank. Some people think Rafael was the second coming of jesus when it comes to Michelle's jumps but they were not flawed to begin with.
She was never going to compete because she was not in shape...which is why she told Hughes to keep practicing as if she was competing for sure...this was about figure skating as a business...plain and simple...anyone who skates knew she was not in competitive shape by looking at her...smart move endorsement wise to go over there...she is still the only skater to carry me on the journey with her.
Cassandra Howell I agree. She did not hurt herself that bad in practice to have to withdrawal. She could see the triple triples being done and knew she couldn't do them and was not in shape to do the. This was just a escapade , she was not in shape or had intentions of skating. No skater practices for 4 yrs and then just pulls out like that. It was a money spin and they say it had a lot to do with her father.
@@sadiedeveau9318 Danny was all business. He wanted the ca$h!
You’re as bad as the Simone Biles haters. Simone withdrew because she knew she couldn’t compete (and gave the open spot to someone else). Michelle did the same
@@sadiedeveau9318 Out of curiously, what money could Kwan earn by going to the Olys and pulling herself out of the competition?
@@falconeddie4109 lot of money because she didn't WD. Millions of views for NBC and sponsors because of the practice news and this live press conference
She never was going to skate here . It was all business ...
Yes, totally agree. She was completely out of shape. She went to Turin to say goodbye to the sport. NBC got their money because of this live press conference.
@@flywings111 Shame on you two. 😡😡😡
Michelle kwan skated with the truly Olympics spirit, she never gave up and kept top for more than 10 years. 😎
@@flywings111 Michelle Kwan worked so hard , she skated with her heart.
Tara Lipinski retired and turned pro because she loves MONEY more than the skating sport. Michelle was much greater than Tara Lipinski.
@@flywings111 Sarah Hughes was lucky and overrated to win the 2002 Olympics, and she placed 6th at the 2003 World championship, then she retired at her 17 years old.
Sarah Hughes just likes Tara Lipinski that they all gave up so easy. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Public speaking lessons will help her.
She’s held jobs with public-speaking politicians for years (George Bush, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden). She’s doing great