Michelle Kwan

My wife and I had the pleasure back in February of 2002 to attend the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. My sister lives there with her family and we enjoyed a fantastis week with her family, not to mention the fact that we attended several events including Louge, Women's Ice Hockey, Downhill Skiing, Speed-skating, and Snowboard racing. Having had the chance to see the competition up-close and in person, we really appreciated even more these fine athletes that represent the best in the world and have a chance to compete on such a grand scale.
Lisa is a huge figure skating fan and has Scott Hamilton's autograph. I follow it more when it comes to the Olympics, but she follows it throughout the year and is familiar with all the up and coming skaters. Needless to say, we both a bit disappointed by Michelle Kwan's bid to become part of the 2006 US Team this year. After having been World Champ a couple of times, US Champ 9 times, and getting both a Silver and Bronze at the two Olympics she participated in, we felt that her time had come and gone and it was time for her to let the young-ins step-up and represent our country.
But low and behold, Michelle had to chase after that illustrious gold medal that has elluded her for two Olympics. The favorite going into each Olympics, it was disappointing to many people that she did nto live up to the expectation that were placed on her. One aspect that bothered me about this is that she missed the Olympic try-outs because of an injury, then petitioned to be put on the team, having to prove that she could still skate at her best. Who is she, or anyone for that matter, to miss the tryouts and feel that they are still a better skater, or good enough that they do not have to compete to earn a spot on the team? Some might say that she earned her spot because of her years of experience, but who is to say that she is in the same condition now that she was in before? Also, there could always be someone, or several people, that are better than her at the trials.
By all means I am not here to discredit Miss Kwan for all of her years of hardwork, experience, and success. Up to this point, she has been a good romodel for young women and a great icon for women skaters. Even in her defeats, she took her silver and bronze medals with grace and sportsmanship.
As of Sunday morning, she has now had to withdraw from the competition for re-injuring her groin muscle, the same injury that kept her from the trials. Now I will definitely give it to her that she was not so ego driven that she didn't withdraw. She had enough courage to accept that she was not going to be 100% for the competition, she gave Sarah Hughes' sister her spot, and bowed down gracefully.
As the news has already shown us the past 24 hours, she has been made to be a hero for giving up her spot. This upsets me because she should not have been on the team in the first place. It was her ego and seeking glory that made her go for this olympics. Now that she is injured, she is giving-up the spot that was rightfully held for someone else from the start. Heros do not go after self-gain, as Michelle did. Heros know when their moments have ended and let go of their egos to let other shine in the spotlight.