Brennan's take -- US Figure Skating Does Right Thing

[redvispa]

Haven't seen this posted yet -- but this is Brennan's take on the situation...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2006-01-15-brennan-kwan_x.htm

[beegirllw]

Kwan included another offer in a three-page, handwritten letter to the international committee: She volunteered to be monitored by U.S. Figure Skating officials no later than Jan. 27.

Handwritten letter...thats just so Michelle
While I am sure she had legal help in writing it up, I think it is awesome that she wrote it up herself. Once again, all class.

[BumbledBee]

Ouch....three pages handwritten!?! Well, that girl IS in good shape! :) You couldn't pay me to do that; gotta love the keyboard.

[darin]

Brennan is so up and down that I don't know what to believe. SHe really needs to pick a side and stay on it.

[AZSkateFan]

Brennan is so up and down that I don't know what to believe. SHe really needs to pick a side and stay on it.

If Brennan picked a side rather than just stating whatever she feels at the moment, she would not be unbiased. And then she would be a terrible journalist.

As much as some of you don't like Brennan, I think its important that we realize shes a journalist and not the President of a fan club. Journalists need to be able to "call it like they see it" instead of how us fans want it told.

And, I met her at Nationals--she's very nice!

[kwancierto de aranjuez]

Brennan is so up and down that I don't know what to believe. SHe really needs to pick a side and stay on it.

Why does one need to pick a side... their job is to be fair and to present all sides of the picture not to pick one side. :8

[iloveskating]

I think it's odd that she would handwrite it. You would think a formal appeal like this would be typed ( word processed on a computer). It was done to emphasize, more or less, it was all coming from her.

[Teresa]

I think handwritten, the letter showed a little more sincerity. Cos with type-written letters, anyone could have written it - lawyers, Shep, her dad etc. At least handwritten, the committee knew it was genuinely her plea.

[Krista]

I think it's odd that she would handwrite it. You would think a formal appeal like this would be typed ( word processed on a computer). It was done to emphasize, more or less, it was all coming from her.


exactly. very classy :)

[iceman]

What I am curious about is what was in those three pages? That is an awfully long letter, but I am sure it was well thought out. Like Michelle has said she is the best judge of her body, but I do wish she had given herself a little more time. Christine Brennan is one of the few sports writers writing about skating first hand, many of the others seem to get their information second hand--for example, those who said she did not attempt one triple at Marshall's could not have possibly watched the event, as Michelle did a triple lutz. And if you have noticed, some of those who were tearing Michelle apart last week have now jumped on her band wagon. They go whichever way the wind blows.

[modern_muslimah]

Ouch....three pages handwritten!?! Well, that girl IS in good shape! :) You couldn't pay me to do that; gotta love the keyboard.

Right! Just having to write essays in those little blue books during tests gives me cramps. :lol Michelle is truly a class act. Can't wait to see her in Torino. :D

[modern_muslimah]

Brennan is so up and down that I don't know what to believe. SHe really needs to pick a side and stay on it.

I thought she presented a balanced and fair view of things. What she said in the article seems consistent with what she has written before and said in interviews.

[neeki]

So it was Michelle's decision to be monitored? From what I've been hearing in the media, it seemed as though the committee decided she had to be monitored and 100% by January 27th. I was wondering why they were being so tough with her. From what I remember from '94, Nancy basically had until the end to see if she was strong enough to skate.

[mommy2]

Even Terry Gannon made mention that Michelle proposed the monitoring in her petition. Some people just can't get it right.

[neeki]

Even Terry Gannon made mention that Michelle proposed the monitoring in her petition. Some people just can't get it right.

Thanks. I didn't watch Nationals so I missed Terry's comments. Everything I've heard were brief snippets on news shows. I've pretty much avoided skating this season since Michelle wasn't competing.

[Pattern99]

What I am curious about is what was in those three pages? That is an awfully long letter, but I am sure it was well thought out.


Of course, it depends on the size of the paper(!) and how big or small her handwriting is! Me, my writing is so big I'd probably need 6 sheets of 8-1/2 x 11! But sounds so Michelle - earnest, honest, above-board, and always wanting to do the right thing. She knows she deserves the spot, she's earned it and she wants to go, but she'd never let the team down or herself if she feels she's not ready. I wonder if she was worried by the negativity from some quarters and wanted to go all-out to show that she's willing to do whatever it takes?:angel

[Revolennon]

So it was Michelle's decision to be monitored? From what I've been hearing in the media, it seemed as though the committee decided she had to be monitored and 100% by January 27th. I was wondering why they were being so tough with her. From what I remember from '94, Nancy basically had until the end to see if she was strong enough to skate.

Only thing I can come up with about the difference between Nancy and Michelle is that Nancy's withdrawl was due to an act of violence which she had absolutely no control over. Who knows, maybe the committee is looking at Michelle's injury as something she could've taken precautionary measures to prevent, and was thus, avoidable?

[archie4]

After an evening of mostly dreadful or uninspiring skating in the women's long program, Michelle Kwan will be going to her third Winter Olympic Games if she's physically up to it, and that's exactly as it should be.
Thank goodness a journalist actually pointed this out! The performances, for the most part, really were dreadful. Who could have voted against Kwan, after seeing most of those long programs? Good for Christine to lay out the truth! I believe!