New Hersh Article- says Kwan probably won't be at December event

[kyla2]

For Michelle

What I would like for Michelle is to be given a spot on the Olympic ticket whether she skates at Nationals or not. Yes, I know it's not fair. I can't argue that point. But it's not without precedent and the AFSA may have to make a decision if she thinks she can make the Olympics, but not Nationals. Michelle has stayed in the sport probably for a number of reasons, one of them being that she would make her third Olympics. I feel like this sport owes her big time and this is one way to repay her (that's my rationale). Just being at the Olympics would guarantee viewership for the skating (not that this is generally a problem I grant you). But perhaps Michelle wouldn't want to accept a spot if she didn't actually win a place at Nationals-hard to know.

 

[Mathman]

If she's not in good form, Michelle might not compete at Nats -- she can then be given a bye (with everyone "remembering" who didn't get to go to '94 Olys because Nancy Kerrigan needed a bye)

Great observation! If Michelle makes the Olympic team on an injury bye, both USFS and the Kwan camp are going to have to scramble to avoid negative publicity over the decision. That could just be the ticket to counter charges of being unfair to the skater who is bumped.

Michelle has stayed in the sport probably for a number of reasons, one of them being that she would make her third Olympics. I feel like this sport owes her big time and this is one way to repay her (that's my rationale).

Michelle is the Kween of my heart, but I have to disagree witih this sentiment entirely. First, Michelle may indeed want to make her third Oympics. Well, a lot of skaters want to make their first. What you want is not necessarily what you get.

Secondly, figure skating doesn't own Michelle anything and Michelle doesn't owe figure skating anything. Michelle has given a lot to the sport. Michelle has received a lot from the sport. The Olympics does not need Michelle. Michelle does not need the Olympics.

If you want to make the Olympic team, skate for it. If you can't, cheer on the skaters who can.

Go Michelle!

Mathman

 

[flowjo35]

If you want to make the Olympic team, skate for it. If you can't, cheer on the skaters who can.

Go Michelle!

Mathman

MM

I think Michelle would do exactly that if she is unable to skate for her spot on the team.

 

[R.D.]

Michelle has stayed in the sport probably for a number of reasons, one of them being that she would make her third Olympics. I feel like this sport owes her big time and this is one way to repay her (that's my rationale).

I've said this many times, and I'll say it again in other words:

One should have to EARN their place on the team. No gifts. And ANY Olympic medal is NOT a lifetime achievement award. It goes (or should go) to the skaters who can deliver on the moment of truth - THAT NIGHT.

So Kwan wants that gold medal? Dang, she'd better get out there and SKATE! Outskate everyone else! Outshine Irina and co.!

 

[attyfan]

I've said this many times, and I'll say it again in other words:

One should have to EARN their place on the team. No gifts. ...

Did Nancy get a "gift" because she was unable to earn her place on the '94 team?

 

[Mathman]

MM

I think Michelle would do exactly that if she is unable to skate for her spot on the team.

That would be so totally cool if USFS offered Michelle a place on he team, and she turned it down on the grounds that she hadn't earned it at nationals and did not want to stand in the way of the skaters who had.

I can't tell you how cool that would be. That would be the crowning achievement of her amateur career.

MM

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Did Nancy get a "gift" because she was unable to earn her place on the '94 team?

I'm not sure if posters remember or are aware of Nancy's bye.

Anyway, if Kwan gets a bye, the Forum will be so flooded with antiKwan thrashings and with the inevitable retorts from super Kwanfans that the Mods will be going bananas.

Only La Kwan can get the Forum up in arms.

Joe

 

[mzheng]

I'm not sure if posters remember or are aware of Nancy's bye.

Anyway, if Kwan gets a bye, the Forum will be so flooded with antiKwan thrashings and with the inevitable retorts from super Kwanfans that the Mods will be going bananas.

Only La Kwan can get the Forum up in arms.

Joe

So all mods should be glad when La Kwan gone?

 

[LBC]

I actually think that the USFS would let 4CC's determine the team if Michelle would be healthy enough to do it. If Michelle can beat #3 there then she makes the team. I wouldn't really have a problem with that.

 

[R.D.]

I don't think they would let Kwan go unless she does 4CC's (assuming she either can't skate at Nats or skates realy badly). I hope they just send the three medallists to the Olys, with no questions asked.

Of course, I wasn't aware about the Nancy situation. I suppose that's a "unique" situation since someone else deliberately took her out of contention.

 

[attyfan]

... Of course, I wasn't aware about the Nancy situation. I suppose that's a "unique" situation since someone else deliberately took her out of contention.

I don't think it fair to make Nancy's situation unique because it wasn't Michelle's fault that someone deliberately took Nancy out of contention -- and it was Michelle who medaled at Nats but didn't get to go to Olys -- even when the police were investigating Tonya. IMO, it would sound fine with me that, if Kwan can't skate at Nats, the USFSA names her to the team, saying how much this year resembles '94 (with Michelle in Nancy's place), that they hope things end up for Michelle like they did for Nancy (skate of her life at Olys), and that the person who doesn't get to go will earn the respect and admiration of many -- the way Michelle did for her handling of matters in '94.

 

[R.D.]

I don't think it fair to make Nancy's situation unique because it wasn't Michelle's fault that someone deliberately took Nancy out of contention -- and it was Michelle who medaled at Nats but didn't get to go to Olys -- even when the police were investigating Tonya. IMO, it would sound fine with me that, if Kwan can't skate at Nats, the USFSA names her to the team, saying how much this year resembles '94 (with Michelle in Nancy's place), that they hope things end up for Michelle like they did for Nancy (skate of her life at Olys), and that the person who doesn't get to go will earn the respect and admiration of many -- the way Michelle did for her handling of matters in '94.

Yes, but by the same token the third place finisher will also get short-changed. It would just be a vicious cycle then.

I don't think Kwan is bad enough to get beaten by Cohen AND Meissner AND either Alissa or Emily. I just don't see it happening. If Kwan CAN'T skate at Nats, I have this funny feeling that they're gonna send her anyway. What's NBC gonna do without Kwan? Go figure.

Or maybe they'll have her do 4CC then see if she is fit enough to go.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

attnfan - Some posters are not informative about figure skating history, and some are just bent on putting MK down so that they appear smart. Ignore what they say. They offer nothing but half baked opinions.

Joe

 

[R.D.]

That's right. I'm laughing.

So, in other words, what should one EXPECT from someone who hasn't been following skating a long time. Just another excuse to defend MK when she doesn't need defending.

This gets old very quickly. But whattheheckever, I guess.

ETA: You know what- never mind what I just said. It's just becoming rather predictable what ends up being said. It's not like this is breaking news, anyway. hwell:

 

[kyla2]

More---

I see both sides to this discussion- should Michelle get a bye. Like I said, I would give it to her, but I know it isn't fair to whoever is third. If the worst should happen, that Michelle can't compete at Nationals and Sasha ends up in third somehow, then we would have a real disaster on our hands. I can't even bear to go there. It would take Solomon to figure that one out. I think if I had to decide in that case, I would tell Michelle to come and root on the team as an advisor. But it would kill me to do it.

 

[attyfan]

As I understand the USFSA rules, only the Nat champ is guaranteed a spot on the Oly team (barring citizenship or age problems). So, if Michelle needed a bye, and Sasha got the bronze, the USFSA could simply name Michelle instead of the silver medalist, whomever that might be.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I see both sides to this discussion- should Michelle get a bye. Like I said, I would give it to her, but I know it isn't fair to whoever is third. If the worst should happen, that Michelle can't compete at Nationals and Sasha ends up in third somehow, then we would have a real disaster on our hands. I can't even bear to go there. It would take Solomon to figure that one out. I think if I had to decide in that case, I would tell Michelle to come and root on the team as an advisor. But it would kill me to do it.

Like I said way back, if Sasha has a bad hair day and gets 3rd, how can anyone replace the Number Two Lady in the World to go to the Olys with Alissa and Emile or Bebe?

Joe

 

[yelyoh]

And let me remind some of those who do not have long-term memory that if it were not for Michelle the US probably would not have three spots for the women anyway.

 

[R.D.]

As I understand the USFSA rules, only the Nat champ is guaranteed a spot on the Oly team (barring citizenship or age problems). So, if Michelle needed a bye, and Sasha got the bronze, the USFSA could simply name Michelle instead of the silver medalist, whomever that might be.

I suppose you learn something new every day. I wasn't aware only the champion is placed on the OLY team and the other two get to be decided by the officials.

 

[Mathman]

Out with the old, in with the new. Michelle, Sasha and Irina should all withdraw and let someone in the next bunch have her Sarah Hughes / Oksana Baiul / Tara Lipnski moment.