Michelle Kwan

[christinaskater]

Michelle Wingshan Kwan (Cantonese: 關穎珊) is a former U.S. Ladies' figure skater. She was born on 7 July 1980, in Torrance, California, USA. Her parents are immigrants from Hong Kong. She has two elder siblings (brother Ron and sister Karen, who was also a figure skater and currently is a choreographer.) She is a two-time Olympic medalist (silver in Nagano 1998 and bronze in Salt Lake City 2002), a five-time World champion (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003), and a nine-time U.S. champion (1996 and 1998–2005). She is tied with Maribel Vinson for the all-time National Championship record, and is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history. Michelle is considered one of the greatest figure skaters of all time.

In 2011 she graduated from Tufts University (she studied international relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy). Since 2006 she has been involved in several political initiatives. She was the face of numerous endorsement contracts and appeared in several TV shows. In January 2013 she married Clay Pell. However, in March 2017 both partners filed for divorce.

She was most recently a U.S. diplomat, who served as United States Ambassador to Belize from 2022 to 2025. On January 5, 2022, Kwan announced the birth of her first child, a daughter, Kalista Belle Kwan, and on December 11, 2025, she announced the birth of her second child, a daughter, Della Rose Kwan.

Biographical information
Wikipedia

ISU Bio

Social media
Instagram

Twitter

Find all Michelle Kwan Videos
Golden Skate Media Files​

Programs and Videos

2005/2006
SP: "Totentanz" by Franz Liszt arranged by Maksim Mrvica; choreo. by Tatiana Tarasova
FS: "Prelude in C Sharp Minor Op. 18" by Sergei Rachmaninoff; choreo. by Tatiana Tarasova
Ex: "A Song for You" by Natalie Cole

2005 Marshall's
SP: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eBFPy6_QfF4&pp=ygUSbWljaGVsbGUga3dhbiAyMDA2
FS: https://youtu.be/5CiywbpiLR0?si=X1rG33sRvy6eb3dI (Bolero)

2004/2005
SP: "Adagio from Spartacus" by Aram Khachaturian; choreo. by Nikolai Morozov
FS: "Boléro" by Maurice Ravel; choreo. by Christopher Dean
EX1: "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban
EX2: "Used To Be My Playground" by Madonna

2005 World Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2kR_l28RyI
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ1VuH7SFX0 / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhUBoP3f1LQ

2005 U.S. National Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldskgB44eIM
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqSNB8ZdO-M
EX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQP38OWpiJk

2003/2004
SP: "The Feeling Begins" (from "The Last Temptation of Christ") by Peter Gabriel; choreo. by Scott Williams, Michelle Kwan, Karen Kwan and Nikolai Morozov
FS: "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini; choreo. by Nikolai Morozov
Ex: "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys

2004 World Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuf-MwaTtfo
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maa3jsZVvXU / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maa3jsZVvXU
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_c-4JdsroE

2004 U.S. National Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYY7R-oisEw
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J9Et5D1Nt8

2002/2003
SP: "The Feeling Begins" (from "The Last Temptation of Christ") by Peter Gabriel; choreo. by Scott Williams, Michelle Kwan, Karen Kwan and Nikolai Morozov
FS: "Concierto de Aranjuez" by Joaquín Rodrigo performed by Ikuko Kawai; choreo. by Scott Williams, Michelle Kwan,Karen Kwan, and Nikolai Morozov
Ex: "Fields of Gold" by Eva Cassidy

2003 World Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow09xcuQdAk / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDTYqmcDFpM
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfluAux0Sf0

2003 U.S. National Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VP_VTZ9E6A
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD90_wOAdgM

2002 GP Skate America
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm41rHb14I4
FS: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaRb78jEr4Q

2001/2002
SP1: "Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff
SP2: "East of Eden" by Lee Holdridge; choreo. by Lori Nichol / "Piano Trio No. 2" by Sergei Rachmaninoff; choreo. by Lori Nichol
FS1: "Scheherazade" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov performed by New York Philharmonic; choreo. by Sarah Kawahara
FS2: "A csodálatos mandarin" ("The Miraculous Mandarin") by Béla Bartók; choreo. by Peter Oppegard
Ex: "Fields of Gold" by Eva Cassidy

2002 World Championships
QR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-RaCEW9xWM
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSQF2YkoAEM
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44JXNGSID1s
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaxgHWiTkAM

XVIII Winter Olympic Games Salt Lake City 2002
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K11MHq5ak78
SP fluff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQXeMFlJHAU
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j5_gs7GgEM
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbUVLV49mas

2001/02 GP Final Kitchener, CAN
Round 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrCReLTx4ZA ("Song of the Black Swan" by Villa Lobos)
Round 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltacwrEWr_c ("Scheherazade")

2001 GP Skate Canada International
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lG2qybT7bw
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho3aUKYMc_g

2001 GP Skate America
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4b_TXCoFEg

2000/2001
SP1: "East of Eden" by Lee Holdridge; choreo. by Lori Nichol
SP2: "Rush" by Eric Clapton; choreo. by Christopher Dean
FS: "O canto do cisne negro" ("Song of the Black Swan") by Héitor Villa-Lobos / "Dumky Trio" by Antonín Dvořák; choreo. by Lori Nichol
Ex1: "Beautiful World" by Sumi Jo
Ex2: "This Time Around" by Linda Eder

2001 Goodwill Games
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQvPssF6mFg /
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7JH59G_jHc
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukRQKQbDkhE /
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tean7L7oGk

2001 World Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a0GTyKhd7I
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsQbrwqNE0A

2001 U.S. National Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuHu9rwqdrw
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqxqH9atpQc

2000/01 GP Final Tokyo, JPN
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSvGC2krOPA

2000 GP Skate Canada International
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faHOVB9Ay_M
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcHDR_n9vVc /
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl7XkcON13E

2000 GP Skate America
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QJYGiq7VpY

1999/2000
SP: "A Day In The Life" by John Lennon, Paul McCartney performed by Jeff Beck; choreo. by Lori Nichol
FS: "The Red Violin" by John Corigliano performed by Joshua Bell; choreo. by Lori Nichol
Ex1: "The World Is Not Enough" by Garbage
Ex2: "Hands" (from "Joy: A Holiday Collection") by Jewel

2000 World Championships
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvfQ50QvgpI

2000 U.S. National Championships
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbgoLNAtNP4

1999 GP Skate Canada International
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfoS_5NoAzY

1999 GP Skate America
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrfHRSkkw6s

1998/1999
SP: "Carmen Suite" by Rodion Shchedrin / "Carmen Fantasie" by Franz Waxman / "Carmen" (1983 film) by Paco de Lucia; choreo. by Lori Nichol
FS: "Ariane" / "Orchestral Suite No. 3" / "Orchestral Suite No. 6" by Jules Massenet // "Absalom's Death And Tango" by Leonid Desyatnikov performed by Gidon Kremer; choreo. by Lori Nichol
Ex: "Kissing You" by Des'ree

1999 U.S. National Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvQp_cV3xBI
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgyBuhfzpVI
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Snwj2HcS4

1997/1998
SP: "Piano Concerto No. 3" / "Piano Trio No. 2" by Sergei Rachmaninoff; choreo. by Lori Nichol
FS: "Lyra Angelica" by William Alwyn / "Gymnopedie #3" by Erik Satie; choreo. by Lori Nichol
Ex1: "On My Own" (from "Les Misérables") performed by Kaho Shimada
Ex2: "Dante's Prayer" by Loreena McKennitt

1998 Goodwill Games
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4xz4CKl-Dc
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h7WRauKaSI

XVIII Winter Olympic Games Nagano 1998
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdvkXcvFFXU
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XObfIoPbFf8
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns2g5XdiwCs

1998 U.S. National Championships
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=672-uNc_lzg

1997 GP Skate Canada International
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEaZ_4BZW9I
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djKmHLzSBSc /

1997 GP Skate America
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTtkBeR7An4

1996/1997
SP: "Dream of Desdemona": "Orchestral Suite No. 3" by Jules Massenet / "Final from Herodiade" by Jules Massenet / "The Red Poppy" by Reinhold Gliere; choreo. by Lori Nichol
FS: "Gyulistan Bayati Shiraz" by Fikret Amirov / "Lion of the Desert" by Maurice Jarre; choreo. by Lori Nichol
Ex: "Winter" by Tori Amos; choreo. by Michelle Kwan

1997 World Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtveDWakMFQ
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-oqwopZta8
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pQFizkQmAc

1996/97 Champions Series (current GP) Final Hamilton, CAN
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0NpKlXwneQ

1996 GP Trophée Lalique
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE3GkXKdW7o
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3KYSsMwN74
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9vZFlGkJjM

1996 GP Skate America
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=595XtQCLLsc

1995/1996
SP: "Romanza" by Salvador Bacarisse / "Fiesta Flamenca" by Monty Kelly; choreo. by Lori Nichol
FS: "Salome" by Miklós Rózsa / "Dance of the Seven Veils" by Richard Strauss; choreo. by Lori Nichol
Ex1: "East of Eden" by Lee Holdridge
Ex2: "Just Around the Riverbend" (from "Pocahontas") by Judy Kuhn

1996 World Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1imuQWeIi4Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGvRCis1upE
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJwtHxPifjo

1995/96 Champions Series (current GP) Final Paris, FRA
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj0REZeqKbo
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJY67mMo6Ts

1995 GP Nations (Sparkassen) Cup
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-BOoHyddfM
Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-njh2OdDecA

1995 GP Skate Canada International
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th2FjClC1MQ
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wZUR76DyLo

1994/1995
SP: "Yellow River Piano Concerto" by Xian Xinghai performed by Yin Chengzong, Chu Wanghua
FS: "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso" by Camille Saint-Saëns
Ex1: "Fantasia on Greensleeves" by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ex2: "East of Eden" by Lee Holdridge

1995 World Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1J5GsJqCA0
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UlJuZjzpUM

1995 U.S. National Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLF71GgTI4k
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onnjfor4Oo0

1994 Trophée de France
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_8GCEhcG6Q

1994 Skate America
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjSyPKxhmXw
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzysvsWQwIM

1993/1994
SP: "Song of India" (from "Sadko") by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
FS: "East of Eden" (1981 TV miniseries) by Lee Holdridge

1994 Goodwill Games
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccRiw8_CZyY
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kZIYUzUne4

1994 World Championships
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDEqF3ykrgA

1994 U.S. National Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0kdm6ZkjXc /
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0kdm6ZkjXc
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgw5T185mQo

1994 World Junior Championships
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHqYzJb4aX0 /

1993 U.S. Olympic Festival
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrET-B0FS

1993 Skate America
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35qSsyZrOFI

1992/1993
SP: 1976 Montreal Olympic Theme by Victor Vogel; (first cut)
FS: "Miss Saigon" by Claude-Michel Schönberg

1993 U.S. National Championships
SP: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DnrNcGtrFyY&pp=ygUSbWljaGVsbGUga3dhbiAxOTkz
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXz688BCdF8

1992-93 U.S.Southwest Pacific
SP: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1VbPNbwPPBI&pp=ygUSbWljaGVsbGUga3dhbiAxOTky

1991/1992
SP:
FS: "Concerto in F" by George Gershwin

1992 U.S. Junior National Championships
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwHZ_qk3VRo
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42l8lZ7m9qY

Personal Bests

Michelle only competed briefly under IJS.

Personal Best Total Score	175.20​	19.03.2005​	ISU World Championships 2005
Personal Best Score Short Program	61.22​	18.03.2005​	ISU World Championships 2005
Personal Best Score Free Skating	113.98​	19.03.2005​	ISU World Championships 2005

Competitive History

Competition	SP	LP/FS	FR
2005/2006
XIX Winter Olympic Games Torino 2006	WD
2004/2005
2005 World Championships	3	3	4
2005 U.S. National Championships	1	1	1
2003/2004
2004 World Championships	4	2	3
2004 U.S. National Championships	2	1	1
2002/2003
2003 World Championships	1	1	1
2003 U.S. National Championships	1	1	1
2002 GP Skate America	1	1	1
2001/2002
2002 World Championships	3	2	2
XVIII Winter Olympic Games Salt Lake City 2002	1	3	3
2002 U.S. National Championships	1	1	1
2001/02 GP Final Kitchener, CAN	3	LP1: 2 LP2: 2	2
2001 GP Skate Canada International	2	3	3
2001 GP Skate America	1	1	1
2001 Goodwill Games	2	2	2
2000/2001
2001 World Championships	2	1	1
2001 U.S. National Championships	1	1	1
2000/01 GP Final Tokyo, JPN	2	LP: 2 SF: 2	2
2000 GP Skate Canada International	2	2	2
2000 GP Skate America	1	1	1
1999/2000
2000 World Championships	3	1	1
2000 U.S. National Championships	3	1	1
1999/00 GP Final Lyon, FRA	1	FS1: 1 FS2: 2	2
1999 GP Skate Canada International	1	1	1
1999 GP Skate America	1	1	1
1998/1999
1999 World Championships	4	2	2
1999 U.S. National Championships	1	1	1
1997/1998
1998 Goodwill Games	1	1	1
1998 World Championships	1	1	1
XVIII Winter Olympic Games Nagano 1998	1	2	2
1998 U.S. National Championships	1	1	1
1997 GP Skate Canada International	1	1	1
1997 GP Skate America	1	1	1
1996/1997
1997 World Championships	4	1	2
1997 U.S. National Championships	1	3	2
1996/97 Champions Series (current GP) Final Hamilton, CAN	3	2	2
1996 GP Trophée Lalique	1	1	1
1996 GP Skate America	1	1	1
1995/1996
1996 World Championships	1	1	1
1996 U.S. National Championships	1	1	1
1995/96 Champions Series (current GP) Final Paris, FRA	4	1	1
1995 GP Nations (Sparkassen) Cup	1	1	1
1995 GP Skate Canada International	1	1	1
1995 GP Skate America	3	1	1
1994/1995
1995 World Championships	5	3	4
1995 U.S. National Championships	3	2	2
1994 Trophée de France	4	3	3
1994 Skate America			2
1993/1994
1994 Goodwill Games	6	1	2
XVII Winter Olympic Games Lillehammer 1994	Alternate
1994 World Championships	11	8	8
1994 U.S. National Championships	3	2	2
1994 World Junior Championships			1
1993 Skate America			7
1992/1993
1993 Gardena Junior Trophy (also called Egna Trophy)			1
1993 U.S. National Championships	6	6	6
1991/1992
1992 U.S. Junior National Championships	5	9	1

Videos of Exhibitions and Shows

2010 All That Skate - with Yuna Kim ("Hero") -
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7POGxxrSEA

2009 Ice All Stars - "Carmina Burana" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYcF9eVI3bk

2000 Champions on Ice - "The World Is Not Enough" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bOHwMuoWKI

1999 - Michelle Kwan Skates to Disney's Greatest Hits -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl2JeyS03-k

1998 Champions on Ice - "Dante's Prayer" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edlTytIoFEk

1996 Champions on Ice - "Pocahontas" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szH376YVtjA

Videos of Pro-am and Professional competitions

2004 Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic - "Bolero" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdM6yxjYli0

2001 Masters of Figure Skating - "East of Eden" SP -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_8lRha-FoQ

2000 The Masters of Figure Skating - "Beautiful World" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UypDeH1xShQ

2000 The Masters of Figure Skating SP - "Rush" choreographed by Christopher Dean -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xZ9T7WSQuk

2000 Keri Lotion Classic - "Beautiful World" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QgDN98ZakU

1999 USA vs. The World Figure Skating Challenge - "Hands" by Jewel -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QTh84DbWCo

1999 Hersheys Kisses Figure Skating Challenge - "One More Time" from "Message in a Bottle" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FehcN5tiuo

1999 Masters of Figure Skating - "Kissing You" FS -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxpf4UO-Pcc

1998 World Pro - "Lamento d'Ariane" LP -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0bggmmcVTs

1998 World ProAm - "East of Eden" TP -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcYTdxyoehk

1998 Ultimate Four - "Dante's Prayer" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZnp3fTlVwY

1998 Keri Classic - "Carmen" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDbg45qnjD8

1997 Nice 'n Easy Figure Skating Classic - "Les Miserables" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYPbUn-gRkU

1996 Ultimate Four - "Dreams of Desdemona" SP -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEklWrSU8VQ

1995 Champions on Ice - "Peter Pan" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol3LFA1sjSw

Photos

Articles, Interviews and Other Media

3 April 2019 - "Michelle Kwan, Figure Skater, Olympian, and Diplomat" by YaleUniversity -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dCTvKk0KN4

6 January 2019 - "Michelle Kwan chats on the Gold Meets Golden Red Carpet" by BadCulture TV -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8QfnE7mErc

19 February 2018 - "Figure Skater Michelle Kwan On Struggling To Find A New "Identity" After Olympics" by People TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWSzf3ev3xY

6 January 2016 - "Michelle Kwan: TSL's Interview with the 9-Time U.S. Figure Skating Champion" -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDt2HO4kHR8

24 July 2015 - "Michelle Kwan gives back" by CGTN America -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjNYjM82GaA

12 July 2014 - "Michelle Kwan - My DiverseStory" by DiverseStory Project -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpspu76lKYE

2013 - Michelle Kwan Documentary Part 2 by ESPN -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TafkO9feYTQ

8 July 2011 - "My Wish: Michelle Kwan Skates with Danielle" by Make-A-Wish America -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoW4oXaAT3o

15 January 2005 - "Kwan Ties 70 Year Record" by Elvin Walker
https://www.goldenskate.com/kwan-ties-70-year-record/

2004 Michelle Kwan's Biography Part 1
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NgYKNIsBZ08&pp=ygUeMjAwNCBNaWNoZWxsZSBLd2FuJ3MgQmlvZ3JhcGh5

2004 Michelle Kwan's Biography Part 2
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rq9ASfG1lP0&pp=ygUeMjAwNCBNaWNoZWxsZSBLd2FuJ3MgQmlvZ3JhcGh5

2004 Michelle Kwan's Biography Part 3
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UJjsKG_OLeI&pp=ygUeMjAwNCBNaWNoZWxsZSBLd2FuJ3MgQmlvZ3JhcGh5

2004 Michelle Kwan's Biography Part 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI1kuphSLJk

2004 Michelle Kwan's Biography Part 5
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NDfzDdVpyoI&pp=ygUeMjAwNCBNaWNoZWxsZSBLd2FuJ3MgQmlvZ3JhcGh5

October 19, 2003 -"Michelle Kwan: Online Interview" By Golden Skate
https://www.goldenskate.com/michelle-kwan-online-interview/

1998 - Michelle Kwan on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OYNygJE9KM

1996 - Michelle Kwan on Late Show with David Letterman -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8bpsxJfMQs

1996 - Interview with Michelle Kwan at Skate Canada international -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHmkmRmoT3w


Original post by Christinaskater
Finally a thread for arguably the best skater of all-time, Michelle Kwan!

 

[plushyfan]

Welcome Michelle!

 

[christinaskater]

One of the greatest ever!

 

[ice coverage]

Michelle Kwan: 5 tips for staying fit and healthy

Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY 9 a.m. EDT July 14, 2013
The former figure skater shares her secrets for reducing stress, sleeping better, exercising and eating right in the new magazine USA TODAY 'The Best Ways to Stress Less, Sleep Better.'
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/14/michelle-kwan-the-best-magazine/2434507​

Excerpt: "I still skate sometimes but not often, sadly only every few months."​

 

[Cadiva]

She's one of my all time favourite female skaters, I love her passion, her artistry and her sense of style and grace both on the ice and off it.

 

[ice coverage]

@Grant_Hochstein

20 minute lesson with the Kween today #blessed #RoadToSochi
3:38 PM - 1 Aug 13
https://twitter.com/Grant_Hochstein/status/363066249254674433​

 

[Olympia]

Yay! A thread for Michelle. Her skating still moves me.

 

[Mathman]

Here is an interesting MK mention. Two Michigan State University kinesiology professors serve on the Science Board of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

The panel makes sure public programs and messages delivered by Drew Brees, Michelle Kwan and other celebrity athletes on the council— “the face people,” Pivarnik calls them—are backed by sound science.

http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/knowledge-for-the-nation/#sthash.7RGQ6z8m.dpuf

 

[Mathman]

Here is Michelle, representing the State Department, welcoming teachers from around the world who are participating in an exchange program sponsored by the Teachers of Critical Languages Council. (Thanks to poster "teach" on the MK Forum.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNhc4vCwd08&feature=youtu.be

Edited to add:

 

[Olympia]

Thanks so much, Math!

She seems to be growing more confident and authoritative as a speaker.

 

[ice coverage]

In the photo at the link below, MK looks as youthful as the skaters whom she inspires.

Tom Zakrajsek
Legendary day: Stopped by the East West Ice Palace for a special training session during the Glacier Falls competition. Michelle Kwan took time to speak with us and take pics. Amazing experience for Brandon Mroz, Anastasia Kortjohn and Luke West. Can't say enough nice things about the Kwan family!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=443899362375457&l=73a9e1791a​

 

[Mathman]

She seems to be growing more confident and authoritative as a speaker.

I was thinking the same thing. When Michelle first started out representing the U.S. State Department she was like, ME?. She has grown into the job.

I like the message of this short speech. Michelle says that when she travels abroad to speak to young people, she might be the first American those particular kids have ever met. She might be responsible for giving someone a different view of Americans than what they see in newspaper headlines.

Similarly, these exchange teachers from Egypt and China. Some students and their parents in Wisconsin will be able to say. Egypt? Sure, my teacher was an Egyptian.

 

[lcd]

The Kwan family "owns" the East/West rink? Is that correct?

 

[dorispulaski]

yes
http://www.yelp.com/biz/east-west-ice-palace-artesia

Her dad is very involved in it, too.

 

[Mathman]

^ Off topic, but I have wondered what stake (if any) the naming sponsor, the East-West Bank, retains in the Kwan's rink.

 

[Celine]

It says something. I'm not sure if it is entirely good (about the state of the sport) , that Michele can still command so much attention.

 

[Mathman]

Michelle and Kristi at the Media Summit.

http://www.canyonsresort.com/sites/default/files/cam_shot/USOC.jpg

Michelle interviews Davis and White.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BVk4tCNCQAAMkXz.jpg

 

[lcd]

It says something. I'm not sure if it is entirely good (about the state of the sport) , that Michele can still command so much attention.

Definitely a mixed blessing. Same goes for the fact that so many of the corporate sponsors are going with the Evans and Kristi's, over the up and comers. No disrespect to them but the reliance on the known and the decrease in "risk taking" on hopefuls, while completely understandable from a corporate risk standpoint, is still not a positive as you say, for the sport.

 

[miki88]

It says something. I'm not sure if it is entirely good (about the state of the sport) , that Michele can still command so much attention.

After re-watching her '98 programs this past weekend, it's not hard to see why. She remains the gold standard.

 

[Olympia]

After re-watching her '98 programs this past weekend, it's not hard to see why. She remains the gold standard.

I think it's a good thing that people remember great skaters long past their tenure. It's not something that happens INSTEAD OF admiring current skaters. After all, when Michelle was skating, people still revered Dorothy Hamill and Kristi Yamaguchi. No, the fact that today's skaters aren't widely known outside of skating fandom in the U.S. is an entirely separate phenomenon. I don't know what we can do to ameliorate the situation, but we skating fans stand ready to help!