A Tribute to a Champion
Figure skating entered my life sixteen years ago, along with the girl who would later become my wife. Personally, I've never been one for sports. When I was young and carefree, sporting events were places to flirt and as I got older, I'd always watch the NCAA Final Four to see if the party was going to be at Duke, Chapel Hill or at NC State. While we have had some discussions as to whether figure skating is a sport or a pageant, my wife has had firm beliefs which all started when she was a young girl in New England, where she'd look forward to her family's lake to freeze and would take that opportunity to mimic her idols. All the while dreaming, that she was training to become world champion.
By the time she had was in high school, a busted knee from running cross country and the fact that she was tall had dashed some of my wife's dreams, but she remained a big fan and as our lives became one, I became familiar with the moves, the personalities and the intricacies of the sport.
Michelle Kwan pulled herself from Olympic competition yesterday and though she may not have used these exact words, she put the good of her sport and the importance of the contest above her own ego. A cynic might question whether she withdrew because she wasn't up to the challenge and whether she turned down NBC's offer of a commentary job to avoid uncomfortable questions, but I'm going to take her at her word. She did it out of respect for the Olympics and is going to quietly leave to avoid being a distraction.
Without doubt, she is the most famous, decorated and talented skater of her generation. She has won forty-three championships over the course of her career, including five worlds and nine nationals. Sure, she won some lesser events in later years based on her reputation, but most of the major competitions and all of the early stuff, she won without question. During recent years and through the development of the "Grand Prix" system, she has mostly competed just enough for her to win on the basis of points. She started her college career by living in the dorms and pointedly scheduling her appearances around her class schedule, but as she got closer to Torino and her last chance, skating had once again become a big focus of her life.
Throughout it all and though she could've cashed-in for big bucks at any time, she has maintained her amateur status with an eye toward that elusive, ultimate prize. I'm sure it was difficult for her to withdraw, but I'm equally sure that all three major ice tours have been in contact and by this time, she's earned the right to name her price. With never a hint of scandal, the resources and reputation to demand the best and the fact that she appears to have had a well balanced life; The gold may never be hers, but she's cemented a place in the record books and there's really no question; She will forever be considered, a champion of the world.