I think a skater would owe their federation (more than their fans) a decision regarding whether he/she would decide to stay eligible or not. Some skaters announce toward the beginning of a season whether they will remain competitive or not, some don't. Perhaps much of these atheletes decisions rest on health, opportunity, and results. How MK differs should be no different, except (as always, unfortunately) she is expected to somehow perform above and beyond everyone else's reasonable standard.
No she dosn't owe me anything. If anything, I feel like I should do something for her, ie. like donate to charity fund under her name, for her skating bring me so much of joy. And her character, attitude and career has been such an inspiration.
I personally think its awesome that she's smart enough to do long range planning for her future. I'm always shocked at athletes, entertainers, ect. who live so much in the "now" that they forget about tomorrow... In my business I see it all the time ~ too much bling bling & not enough smart investments & strategic planning has ruined more than one million dollar baby.
I do think its amusing that people have been on her case so tough since Worlds that now everything is looked upon as MK's failure. Failed to make Bolero work. Failed to do the GPS. Failed to medal at Worlds. Now its failed to move aimlessly into her future while being an engima to her fans & the skating world. Please.
I had the great good fortune of seeing Kwan win the US championships in Atlanta. After she skated there was what I can only call an "Explosion of Human Emotion." Seeing her skate and participating in the reaction of performance is all the payment I need from Ms. Kwan. Nothing she says yea or nay about her future will diminish that experience. I think whatever Michelle "owes" me has been paid off long ago.
is even funnier to hear it from so called great fans of herI'm not a fan of the present michell,but I certainly don't think she owes anyone anything other than a good performance. sponsors yes,fans nope
to me, all an athlete owes their fans, is to perform to the best of their ability, and to not be involoved with some of the scandals plagueing sports today. By this measure, Michelle owes me nothing. I sit back and enjoy her performances, good or bad, knowing that she has tried to the best of her ability (and sometimes it seems beyond), and there has never been a hint of scandal. Michele, you rock!
Michelle dosen't owe me anything either. Even if she came out tomorrow on Today Show and say I am done no Skate America, Nationals or Olympics. Yes I'd miss her but also wish her well. This also applies to any of the other skaters.
No she doesn't owe me anything other than maybe my sanity back. These years of watching Michelle have been an emotional roller coaster in which mostly I have cried tears of joy. I personally hope she continues to have some involvement in the sport. Whether it is commentating, show skating or magazine publishing.
I think she has wanted to go to Torino for some time. The question for her may have been would she still be able to push herself.
She doesn't owe me anything, but she DOES owe it to herself to give this year, which I believe will be her last, her very best effort. I don't know whether she will win any medal at the Olympics or not, but I want to see her train her hardest and give it her all in competition. I would like to see her go out like Michael Jordan, maybe not winning every game, but when he left the sport you sure knew he was gone. I want there to be a huge hole when she is gone, so that people who didn't realize it before, realize that the greatest figure skater of all time has left the competitive world.
No figure skater can compete forever. It's just the laws of old age. One day, Michelle will hang up her competitive skates, but I am sure she will always be connected to skating in one way or another. She has many options open to her - touring, teaching, endorsing skating rinks, you name it.
The skaters of today have way more options than the skaters that went before them. It's a whole different "ball game" or "skating game" in this case.
Michelle has become a bit of a legend in her own time and certainly her name will always be connected to figure skating. Hey, and she has done it without winning the Olympic title!! Good on her.
Originally Posted by kyla2
Kyla! Can I get an amen!
Kwanford wife, AMEN!!!! Here's hoping for our girl this year. I just want her to do the best she can. I will always be proud of her no matter what (I sound like I'm talking about my child). But I will be crying buckets at this Olympics because I know it's her last.
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