Kwan to light torch at State Games

[Sprampt]

This sounds great. I haven't seen Michelle in about 4 years so I'm going to try to make it.

[belladella]

When did MK become "one of the more decorated" instead of "THE most decorated" figure skater in US history?? (Perez article)

How did I misss that understatement?

I did think Tom Osborne was on the mark in his comments about the Kween.

“We’re thrilled,” said Tom Osborne, president of the Colorado Springs Sports Corp., which hosts the event. “She is just a terrific Olympian. She will ignite the crowd.”

“It’s great for someone like Michelle to give back to the kids,” Osborne said. “She’s just a perfect pick for us this year with all these figure skaters. I can’t wait to see those figure skaters when we introduce Michelle.”

.

Osborne said Kwan will attract more fans to the Games.

“There’s no question the torch lighter is the highlight of the evening,” he said. “To bring in Michelle, we set the bar high. She’s such a great name and a great representative.”

Yes, Tom, she is a great name and a great representative who will definitely ignite the crowd.

[Sylvia]

Thursday, August 2nd Opening Ceremony info:
http://www.thesportscorp.org/SGA2007..._ceremony.html
"Spectators can purchase Opening Ceremony tickets at the following prices: $10 for adults, $5 for youth (18 & under) & seniors (55+). Click here or call 866-464-2626 to purchase tickets. TICKETS ARE LIMITED!!"

[graciesfriend]

TICKETS ARE LIMITED!!"

Maybe because of who the torchlighter is, perchance?

I hope everyone who is able to go has a great time!

[annie94]

Anyone wishing to attend should purchase their tickets now. In 2005 the ceremony was sold out. There is not much seating for spectators since there will be over 9000 athletes.

Also SGA sells a recap DVD after the event is done. There will be some of the opening ceremony on the DVD.

[IceSkate98]

Also SGA sells a recap DVD after the event is done. There will be some of the opening ceremony on the DVD.

I definitely want a DVD. Thanks for the information!

[Heather]

Article about one of the skaters who will compete at this event mentions Michelle:
http://www.journal-news.net/Sports/a...rticleID=10752

Before the competition even begins, Neill-Shepherd is in for a thrill when two-time Olympic medalist and five-time national champion Michelle Kwan lights the flame to begin the fifth edition of the bi-annual games. Neill-Shepherd, who has shared the ice with the likes of top American skaters Evan Lysacek and Michael Weiss, counts Kwan among her personal heroes. "I'm very excited about that," Neill-Shepherd said. "My two favorite skaters are Michelle Kwan and Scott Hamilton."

[Lisa Seye]

Woohooo. Thanks Heather

[lemonade16]

Well, I guess the statement is technically correct (Michelle is a 5 time Nationals Champion), but I think they probably meant to write that she is a 5 time World Champion.

Anyway, it's always nice to hear about Michelle and I can't imagine how excited that skater is! What a great way to start his games!

[Kandyin]

Kwan Takes Break to Light Torch

Interesting Quote:

Kwan, who underwent surgery on her hip last August, said she is feeling better than ever.
For her, life is all about juggling books and ice skates.

“I’m physically the best I have been in a long time,” she said. “The last couple of months I’ve been back on the ice so I’ve had a mixture of hitting the library and the rink. It’s just a balance. I think that’s the key, to be able to balance things as an athlete.”

No wonder why she's been looking better than ever in the pictures we've seen the last few days!

Kandy

[graciesfriend]

Thanks for the link; that's a nice article! Hope some MKFers will be able to attend the opening ceremonies.

[teach23]

I hope that Michelle is shown on several television programs so we can see her, along with the rest of the world. I will be watching as many news shows as I can, including ESPN!

[visaliakid]

Kwan takes break to light torch at State Games - by Brandi Perez, The Colorado Springs Gazette

Sounds like she is readying a comeback to me:

“I’m physically the best I have been in a long time,” she said. “The last couple of months I’ve been back on the ice so I’ve had a mixture of hitting the library and the rink. It’s just a balance. I think that’s the key, to be able to balance things as an athlete.”

[MFarone]

Gosh, when I read this article it brought tears to my eyes! I think Michelle was really hurting for quite a long time before she had her surgery. It sounds like she is really feeling good now and it makes me think, like some others, that she may comeback for another Nationals. I'm sure Michelle will do what she is feels is best. Miss seeing her so much!


Maureen

[starrysky]

I know, MFarone - I got teary eyed too! I am just beyond thrilled that she seems above all, happy.

[Krista]

great article, thanks for posting it

[skatefan20]

Watched a buddy's stream of the local Colorado Springs newscast (NBC), and it so happens the local sportscaster(?) Lee Douglas had a quick & fun chat with Michelle prior to the Opening Ceremonies. She talked about her emotions before she'll be lighting the torch, attending UCLA & Denver...and of course he asked the obvious -- if we will see her in the next Winter games. "I'm 27, so I'm not that OLD!!"

Just to reiterate -- she's healthy!!!

[Lisa Seye]

I still belong to the ice. Yeah baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I still belong to you Michelle.

[C# Minor]

Hi! This is my first post here, I've been a long time lurker (since the 2005 Worlds.)

I just had to join after tonight. I just got home from the State Games opening. There was a record crowd for the World Arena, the arena only has 7,500 seats, but we packed in 10,007 tonight! I wonder why that was...

Michelle was beautiful (when is she not?) She talked for awhile about dreams and hopes, and how it was an event like this that was her "springboard" back in 1993.

I could go on and on, but I'll let that be all. I'm so happy to have finally joined!

[kittyjake5]

Welcome and thanks for the report.

[Kathy Sullivan]

Hi! This is my first post here, I've been a long time lurker (since the 2005 Worlds.)

I just had to join after tonight. I just got home from the State Games opening. There was a record crowd for the World Arena, the arena only has 7,500 seats, but we packed in 10,007 tonight! I wonder why that was...

Michelle was beautiful (when is she not?) She talked for awhile about dreams and hopes, and how it was an event like this that was her "springboard" back in 1993.

I could go on and on, but I'll let that be all. I'm so happy to have finally joined!

Go on and on - we love on and on - and welcome

[skatefan20]

Thanks for the report C Minor!

The KOAA website now has video footage of Michelle lighting the torch, plus an excerpt from the afternoon's pre-ceremony interview.

LINK

[C# Minor]

Welcome

Thank you very much!

Go on and on - we love on and on

Okay, I'd be happy to!

The athletes marched in Olympic-esque. There were some "important" people who spoke, some really cool trampoline acrobats, a band, and the Broncos Cheerleaders, but I think that all of them were just filler!

Michelle came out near the end, and the crowd gave her a standing ovation! She talked for 5-10 minutes about events like this. She remembered the Olympic Festival in 1993, and said that it was the biggest event of her life. She said there were 25,000 people in attendance, and that she was really scared. But she went out, did her best, and did well. She went on to say that she hoped that the athletes taking part in these games would be as excited as she was way back then.

After her speech she got in the line for the torch. Unlike the Olympics, this event has all of the Presidents, CEOs, and important people representing the sponsers line up in the middle of the arena floor, and all of them get to pass the torch to the next person (really exciting... ...not).

Someone who did something last year (yeah, my memory's shot, Michelle does that to me ) ran the torch into the arena, and then handed it off to be passed down the line. What was really cool was watching Michelle, she looked really excited! She was jumping up and down a little at the beginning, then she just stood there waiting as all the guys in suits waved to the crowd.

She got the torch, ran to the cauldron, and lit the flame. The crowd was going nuts at this point. It seemed like they would never stop cheering! It took a few minutes before you could even hear the emcee talking!

It was a great night! I've attended two of these State Games openings, and this one was by far the most energetic, and I swear that's Michelle's effect on people.

Well, that's my recap. I'm still on my Michelle high right now, everything is rose-tinted. I'm sure everyone here knows how that is!

[Kathy Sullivan]

Thank you very much!



Okay, I'd be happy to!

The athletes marched in Olympic-esque. There were some "important" people who spoke, some really cool trampoline acrobats, a band, and the Broncos Cheerleaders, but I think that all of them were just filler!

Michelle came out near the end, and the crowd gave her a standing ovation! She talked for 5-10 minutes about events like this. She remembered the Olympic Festival in 1993, and said that it was the biggest event of her life. She said there were 25,000 people in attendance, and that she was really scared. But she went out, did her best, and did well. She went on to say that she hoped that the athletes taking part in these games would be as excited as she was way back then.

After her speech she got in the line for the torch. Unlike the Olympics, this event has all of the Presidents, CEOs, and important people representing the sponsers line up in the middle of the arena floor, and all of them get to pass the torch to the next person (really exciting... ...not).

Someone who did something last year (yeah, my memory's shot, Michelle does that to me ) ran the torch into the arena, and then handed it off to be passed down the line. What was really cool was watching Michelle, she looked really excited! She was jumping up and down a little at the beginning, then she just stood there waiting as all the guys in suits waved to the crowd.

She got the torch, ran to the cauldron, and lit the flame. The crowd was going nuts at this point. It seemed like they would never stop cheering! It took a few minutes before you could even hear the emcee talking!

It was a great night! I've attended two of these State Games openings, and this one was by far the most energetic, and I swear that's Michelle's effect on people.

Well, that's my recap. I'm still on my Michelle high right now, everything is rose-tinted. I'm sure everyone here knows how that is!

Thanks so much - just loved on and on. Sounds like you had a great time and got a Michelle high.

skatefan20 Thanks for the links

[Grace]

Picture and article out:
Colorado Springs Gazette "
Michelle Kwan gets crowd, competitors ready for State Games"

http://www.gazette.com/sports/kwan_2..._athletes.html