It was meant to be...

[Disciple of KWAN]

Before anyone sells her short and says she's done...think about it!

It is truly unfair what has happened to our champion. However, like i said all along, maybe it just wasn't her destiny to get olympic gold, YET! i hope michelle evaluates herself and KNOWS that she is not over the hill yet!

Michelle is a great champion...prolly the greatest! What she did today only CEMENTED her legend! In all her olympics disappointments, she has ALWAYS acted in grace. In 94, 98, 02, and now in 06!!! I think history will remember her greatness.

Every great leader is remembered by their greatnesses! Although, none have ever been perfect! Whether it is sport or another medium, they won the wars, and not insignificant battles!

These olympics are insignificant compared to her legend! They will have no baring on her importance within the athletic world! So, instead of mourning her 06 olympics, rejoice in knowing that her legend had become stronger and bigger because of the fight, the heart, and the grace she has showed!

Therefore, I do not think that Destiny let her down...it just rewarded her with something a peice of material cannot give!

[purplecolor 2003]

Peter U comment nails it. Michelle during our time is the embodiment of the OLYMPICS. BAIUL, LIPINSKI, HUGHES all won the gold but who remembers them. HAVE THEY SHOWN ANY GRACE WHEN THEY WON?...........NEVER. Have you heard Tara and Sarah endorsed Michelle to the olympics?......Never.....MICHELLES DOESNT HAVE TO WIN THE GOLD......she alredady won the OLYMPICS. She's the embodiment of what the olympics stands for.........She's the OLYMPICS.

[KwansPrayerWarrior]

her legend had become stronger and bigger because of the fight, the heart, and the grace she has showed!

Therefore, I do not think that Destiny let her down...it just rewarded her with something a peice of material cannot give!

:bow :clap :bow :clap

[MKalltheway]

yup...she said herself that "Maybe it was never meant to be"...can't believe it might not be!

[Rylo]

Michelle's career is about so much more than a gold medal. She truly showed the world today what being an Olympian and a good sport is all about. For that I am truly greatful.

[Kabooke]

I'm a firm believer in things happen
the way they are suppossed to despite
maybe seeing no rhym or reason behind them
at the time.

Yes, maybe it isn't meant to be and
Michelle has squared that with herself.

I must say, that makes me even prouder of her because i'd
hate for her to wind up like a Sumners and Fratianne both of
whom still to this day seem to carry and aire of sorrow from
what I've seen of them since their skating days.

And then again, maybe it is meant to be.
Many times things come to us not when we want or expect but
in their own time which turns out to be the perfect time.


Either way, the legend and legacy of Michelle Kwan
is immortalized and she is a true Champion with a heart of Gold.

[CordeliaFitzgrld]

This whole time, I was thinking that Michelle needed to win, because that's what we need heroes to do. But, as I'm thinking about it, we just need heroes, people you can believe in, people that lift your spirit. All that we really need from Michelle is for her to "be." That's it.

[JazDFW]

I must say, that makes me even prouder of her because i'd
hate for her to wind up like a Sumners and Fratianne both of
whom still to this day seem to carry and aire of sorrow from
what I've seen of them since their skating days.

I seriously do not think Michelle is a person who carries such bitterness with her. We've seen her get past 2 devastaing disappointments already, and this one is no different. But what did she do? She left it behind her and moved on to bigger and greater things.

As the saying goes, when one door closes another one opens. I am sure there is plenty, and i mean PLENTY, of things much more important waiting in store for our girl. She's a fighter, and a tremendous champion. She doesn't take things lying down. She's achieved much more in her life so far than most of us will ever in our lifetime. I'm happy for her and support her in whatever she does.

[King Kwan]

I believe that MK was meant to be Olympic Champion, and I will probably continue to believe so until 2010.

I really cannot think of any other athlete who has had to endure four successive olympic disappointments. Her olympic dreams began as the US national silver medalist, who was not given a berth on the olympic team. I don't know if any other US lady ever finished second at nationals and was not able to go to the Olympics. :bawl

It makes me so sad to think that if she does not stay until 2010, that she could be known more for repeated olympic disappointments, rather than olympic victory. :bawl

Please let her stay until 2010, and break this terrible curse. :bow

She may not meant to have been Olympic Champion at any of the last four Olympics, but she is still the greatest skater in the eligible ranks, and with enough time under the COP system, she can re-invent herself again, and claim her rightful throne among the Olympic Champions. :bow

[neneth]

Peter U comment nails it. Michelle during our time is the embodiment of the OLYMPICS. BAIUL, LIPINSKI, HUGHES all won the gold but who remembers them. HAVE THEY SHOWN ANY GRACE WHEN THEY WON?...........NEVER. Have you heard Tara and Sarah endorsed Michelle to the olympics?......Never.....MICHELLES DOESNT HAVE TO WIN THE GOLD......she alredady won the OLYMPICS. She's the embodiment of what the olympics stands for.........She's the OLYMPICS.

I agree Michelle is the Olympics.I wonder how it going to affect the rating at nbc without Michelle.

[michelle2006]

People are putting words in her mouth/ She needs time on her own, and then things will be clear.

[kwanatic712]

Michelle will be remembered for years to come. All of the skaters that have bounced in and bounced out are just skaters. Michelle is a skater who is a legend because of what she has done. She doesn't need a medal to tell her she's the best. I don't think any other skater would have been able to handle what she has done today the way that she handled it. That kind of humility and graciousness is not present in many skaters (definitely not Sasha or Irina). I admire her courage, her resolve and her choice to leave. That had to have taken a lot. I mean, she just got here. She could have easily taken a day or two to see how she felt, but she decided to be responsible and relinquish her spot early to allow Emily enough time to prepare.

I'm really sad just because I know she is. I really wanted her to win. But there are more important things in life. And doing what she did today has done more for her character and her career than a gold medal ever could.

[MKalltheway]

perhaps she's ready for the next phase of her life...ucla? touring? family?

[neneth]

Please don't count her out yet,maybe it a worst year for Michelle but I think if Michelle decided to continue , she will be ready and fair with other skaters.

[JerryStopher]

Michelle is my champion. She will always be my champion.

A lesser woman would have tried to mask her troubles, and would have gone to an undisclosed location to train, and would have shown up in time for the skating and would have failed, denying the young alternate a chance. The best woman in sport did not do that: she withdrew as soon as she knew her body wasn't up to it. I shall always be proud of her for that graciousness under pressure.

I can only say the Michelle is the best athlete on the planet today. No one is more gracious.

As for the young alternate, well, we don't bash anyone's attitude here.

[Kabooke]

I seriously do not think Michelle is a person who carries such bitterness with her. We've seen her get past 2 devastaing disappointments already, and this one is no different. But what did she do? She left it behind her and moved on to bigger and greater things.

As the saying goes, when one door closes another one opens. I am sure there is plenty, and i mean PLENTY, of things much more important waiting in store for our girl. She's a fighter, and a tremendous champion. She doesn't take things lying down. She's achieved much more in her life so far than most of us will ever in our lifetime. I'm happy for her and support her in whatever she does.

Speak!

So true and simply speaks
to the the legacy of Michelle.

[poster4591]

None of us really know for sure what lies ahead for Michelle, at this point I do believe that not even she knows... She will ultimately make the best decision for herself, and that will be the best decidion for her fans, because a true fan wants nothing short of happiness for her... If this is the end then how lucky have we all been to have Michelle as our National Champion 9 times, if it is not the end then how lucky are we to have her as our National Champion 10 times...
Which ever the scenario that plays out might be, figure skating is lucky to have had Michelle tke part, and the US for having her represent our country in such an amazing way for the past 4 Olympic Games... Cheer up guys, brighter days are coming!!!! Remember its always darkest right b4 dawn...

[MKalltheway]

I'm the biggest MK advocate out there (next to you guys)...can't wait til vancouver...what an unimaginable scenario:)

[synnabun]

The possibilites from here on out are crazy. There's so much that Michelle can do. I'll be happy with whatever she decides to do... but seeing her in 2010 would be phenomenal. Just like others have said... maybe she just needs to hit rock bottom before she can be on top again. I believe in miracles.

[lemonade16]

I just adore and admire Michelle Kwan so much. Seeing her at the press conference only makes me appreciate this young woman even more. And I too believe that this was meant to be -- as difficult as it has been. Michelle has endured disappointments in her career and unbelieveable victories. And she has been true to herself and a true champion and role model through and through. She is a legend and Turino only cemented that status.

I would love to see Michelle compete again, but I know that no matter what Michelle chooses to do, she will do so with the same class, humility, determination, courage and grace that she demonstrated throughout her career in figure skating. Only the most wonderful and the best things await Michelle.

[lk36297]

I like what David Pelletier had to say on Olympic Ice..."She should be remembered for what she did accomplish and NOT what she missed out on"

[KwansPrayerWarrior]

I must say, that makes me even prouder of her because i'd
hate for her to wind up like a Sumners and Fratianne both of
whom still to this day seem to carry and aire of sorrow from
what I've seen of them since their skating days.

I'm only 34yrs old so, I don't remember Linda Fratianne at all.....and don't really remember Rosalyn...what happened that they would both be sad? I know about Fratianne...it had something to do with a Russian skater or???

[Disciple of KWAN]

None of us really know for sure what lies ahead for Michelle, at this point I do believe that not even she knows... She will ultimately make the best decision for herself, and that will be the best decidion for her fans, because a true fan wants nothing short of happiness for her... If this is the end then how lucky have we all been to have Michelle as our National Champion 9 times, if it is not the end then how lucky are we to have her as our National Champion 10 times...
Which ever the scenario that plays out might be, figure skating is lucky to have had Michelle tke part, and the US for having her represent our country in such an amazing way for the past 4 Olympic Games... Cheer up guys, brighter days are coming!!!! Remember its always darkest right b4 dawn...

loved your post... i agree. wherever destiny leads her, i will faithfully follow!