Michelle might not win nationals or worlds, but will we chan

[random20]

I know how stressful it is for her to keep up with these yougins', but we all know that it was going to happen. Michelle just can't keep expecting to come out on top without any competition from others. Now-a-days, more presssure is put on her because she can't fall. Her name and her reputation is not going to carry her to first place anymore. Maybe the pressure of school, she is going to a big time university, has got her so worked up that she has lost the joy that usually commands her skating. I don't think that we should expect so much of her, we all love her skating, but I think we should support her every move. So what if she fell on her triple-toe, so what if she is now in third, it doesn't matter. We should all look at the bright side: she already has three of them! I am excited about the burst of 15-14 year old skaters, I love to look at their best qualities, but I will never ever compare them to michelle. I am sick and tired of Dick Button always comparing everyones laybacks, spirals, jumps, whatever!!! How is michelle suppose to reinvent herself if she is always copying the little ones. They should be copying her!!!!! I just know that at the 2002 Olympics, the win for michelle will be most sweeet and well remembered.

[Karin]

No no and no!!! MK will no matter what...forever be my all-time favourite skater!!!...my hero...and the 1 with the Heart of a Champion!!! I luv MK and that will never change!!! your sentence..."How is michelle suppose to reinvent herself if she is always copying the little ones. "... :-)))) Although I don't think they are telling her to copy...you've stated it very nicely!!! 8-) I sometimes wonder if even us fans put too much pressure on her!!! I'm kinda wondering if our "win the gold...win Nationals...bla bla bla" stuff probably puts additional pressure on her..???. We all mean well though...but I just want MK to have fun!!! (BTW I am nuts when it comes to the "go MK" stuff until recently) I was watching the dance and men's this afternoon...and when they showed MK's fall and Sasha and MK's reaction...it broke my heart seeing MK's face...her disappointment at herself...etc... And I might be wrong...but did anyone else see some acne on MK???...could it be lack of rest...stress...etc...??? I don't know!!! I think the judges giving Weiss the 1st place is indicative of the fact that it's not all about a jumping contest!!!...but I couldn't decide myself!!! I also hope MK will not be distracted by whatever 3/3's and however many others do!!!...MK is magical...MK is extraordinary...and MK is very special!!! And MK is Michelle Kwan!!!

[Artec262]

When they showed that I shed tear Michelle look so tired right now.

[skatingfan]

Of course not, I love her just the same. It is a sport, and whoever has the best skate should win. I hope MK will be more relax and attack her program tonight.

[kwanette]

NEVER!!!!!!!!!

[eilaram]

Karin, I saw that too and was thinking if it was only my imagination. Of course my thoughts won't change. I became a fan because I enjoyed her skating, not becuase I was sure she'd win. So why would I quit when she doesn't win?

[maryada]

I couldn't agree more. Michelle has nothing to prove. She has 3 National titles and two world titles and more perfect 6.0s than anyone ever, and her 98 Nationals is the stuff that legends are made of. She is a legend in her own time, and through all that she still remains down to earth. I have never been a "fan" of anyone in my entire life. It just wasn't something I got into, and here in my "older" years I am a fan (bigtime) of this wonderful young woman, and not ashamed to tell everyone that I am. There is the ever present elusive quality about her that draws people like us to her like a magnet, and I am very thankful I have been able to experience this in my lifetime. Even if she never won another competition (which is highly unlikely) nothing can eclipse or take away what she has already accomplished. Her skatig career has been golden even without the Oly gold, but more than that her persona is golden. She will always be my favorite and I want for her only what will make her happy. Winning skating competitions is not what Michelle is all about----winning at life is, and she is truly a winner in that category. Let's just love Michelle and let her sail through her life happily doing what she wants and needs to do without the burden of great expectations from us on her shoulders and she will never disappoint us. Win or lose I'll be an MK fan all of my life.

[rda]

Very nicely put! I would also add that one of Michelle's greatest contributions to the sport, to all sports, heck, to all of mankind, is her outlook on skating and life, and how well she expresses that outlook in her high profile life. I've noticed that the younger skaters are emulating that as much as her skating moves! Many other young people are learning it from her too, and that's going to make the world a better place! Now that's a legacy!

[Googoo]

What are my thoughts about MK in the first place? That she's a wonderful skater, a great artist, and a very nice, sweet person. NO WAY could I ever change that opinion about her because of not being picture perfect all the time!

[Ice Butterfly]

It was heartbreaking for me to watch Michelle blink away those tears, but she is a strong woman! If anyone can cope with this she can! I'm kind of glad that she is in 3rd place right now. This takes 'some' of the pressure off of her. Frankly, I don't care if she comes in last place. I still admire her overall elegence and attitude that she brings to the sport. If Michelle does not win, she will go home, analyze what went wrong and move on. I love her uncanny ability to be able to turn a loss into a victory. That's what makes her a champion. Every champion must lose sometimes. As a final note, I was pretty disgusted when I read some "euligies" for Michelle posted over on FSW this past week. Michelle if far from done. Even if she finishes in last place. Never count her out.

[Shallah]

I will always admire her as a skater and a person. One of my most fav skaters Paul Wylie didn't win alot of competitions but it never stopped me from enjoying his wonderful skating! I have to disagree with the statement that Michelle's name and rep has put her in first place in other competitions. IMO she has always earned her good scores fair and square through her hard work and dedication.

[Rene]

No.

[barang]

no!, winning is not the reason why i like michelle. i like her because she is a gracious, nice, a person with integrity and a role model to both young and old. i'll give her a breathing room for this year because i know that full time college student is tough and she is not getting enough rest for her ice training. it shows on her physical appearance. i have notice that since skate canada, her legs are thinner and tired face were evident. i did not mention this before because people might think i'm going overboard but now that some of you have started noticing that too, i think it is time to get it out of my chest.

[Ice Butterfly]

I must say, that I too, noticed that she seems not to be having as much "fun" as she used to. I've said this before, and I'll say it again though... I can always tell how Michelle is doing by the way she looks before she takes her starting pose. To me, tonight, she looked really sober, like this was a job, not a passion. I surely hope that I'm wrong in thinking this. But, I will never ever say that she should dump school for full-time skating...NO WAY!!!! I do think, however that she should lighten the load just a bit, and maybe sit out some competions and shows so she can REST!!! She certainly deserves it. I was a college student too, not so long ago, and she just amazes me that she can handle everything!

[Melinda]

No Way. I am not a fickle minded fan. Michelle will always be the #1 for me.

[Karin]

:-))))