Michelle Kwan to be one of Olympic torch bearers

[Lucy25]

I am on my ipad and can not get the links to copy, but I have received several google alerts that Michelle is one of 22 Americans chosen by Coca Cola to carry the torch in the relay around Oxford, England July 9-11. When I get to my lap top, I will post a link (unless someone beats me to it!).

[skatesindreams]

Here's the release:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/coc...lay-2012-05-29

[Lucy25]

Boy, you're fast! Just beat me to it. Thanks

This summer, 22 outstanding Americans selected by Coca-Cola will light up the streets of Oxford, England as they carry the Olympic Flame in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. Among them will be 10 teenagers from across the United States, Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan, Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders and renowned fitness icon Jake Steinfeld of Body by Jake(R).

[Wyliefan]

Good for Michelle!

[centerstage01]

Congratulations Michelle!! What a wonderful honor!

[Sylvia]

From the Coca-Cola press release linked above:

Meet the Torchbearers

Coca-Cola proudly invited two Olympic gold medalists to carry the Flame in the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

-- Summer Sanders, (Park City, UT): Summer won four medals at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona -- two gold, one silver and one bronze. Since retiring from swimming, she's appeared as a commentator, analyst and host on all four major networks. She is also an ambassador for UNICEF and Right to Play.

-- Michelle Kwan, (Washington, DC): Michelle is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, winning five World Championships, nine U.S. National Championships and two Olympic medals. She is currently a U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy, meeting with young people worldwide to discuss social and educational issues, and is a member of President Obama's President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.

^^^ They got it right here.

[kwanfan1818]

It's a smart marketing strategy: say it enough times, and people will believe it, especially since so many of them already do.

[AlisonS]

I read right over that OGM comment about Michelle and didn't even blink! That is too funny, I was going right along with it even though I know better! (slapping forehead!)

[attyfan]

Congrats to the honorees. Is this the first time a large group of Americans have been invited to carry the torch in an Olys not hosted by the US?

[Garden Kitty]

Things go better with Michelle!

[foreverkwanfan]

5 world championships, Olympic silver and bronze. 9 national championships. I think that qualifies her to be mistaken for an Olympic champion. So her Olympic medals may not be the right color, everyone knows who she is, still, to this day. Just the fact that she is chosen to be a torch bearer speaks volumes.
Congratulations Michelle.

[Sparks]

Things go better with Michelle!

[ChelleC]

Congrats Michelle!

[Really]

While it's a neat honour and all, why would Americans (or anyone else who doesn't live in the host country) be invited to carry the torch within the host country when it's not the US?

[CoyoteChris]

While it's a neat honour and all, why would Americans (or anyone else who doesn't live in the host country) be invited to carry the torch within the host country when it's not the US?

Its all about the bucks....
"More than 90 percent of the Coca-Cola system's investment in the Olympic Games is directed to athlete development, supporting National Olympic Committees and assisting the staging of the Games."

Wonder how much they would give the USFSA if everyone on the team wore Coke jackets?

[Spareoom]

Yeah, and considering that apparently the torch is only allowed to go to the host country now, there's no obvious opportunity for athletes of other countries to carry the torch (when it's supposed to be a pretty global, inclusive thing, I think).

Anyway, congrats to Michelle!

[kwanette]

From the Coca-Cola press release linked above:

^^^ They got it right here.

That's why I drink Coke instead of Pepsi..

[NinjaTurtles]

-- Summer Sanders, (Park City, UT): Summer won four medals at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona -- two gold, one silver and one bronze. Since retiring from swimming, she's appeared as a commentator, analyst and host on all four major networks. She is also an ambassador for UNICEF and Right to Play.

They forgot Host of Nickelodeon's game show Figure It Out

[Marco]

Right around her 32nd birthday

[Jo Ann]

It is a wonderful, talented group of people and an honor for them to be chosen by Coca Cola. It is great that Coca Cola is doing this and great that Michelle was chosen to be a part of it. Way to go, Michelle!

Congratulations to the Queen! We miss you, Michelle, but you have moved on and life is great for you.