USFS Hall of Fame 2012-The Kween!

[leapfrogonice]

Incredibly overdue for Michelle, so naturally hugely thrilled for her. Seems a shame word is Rudy Galindo is griping so much. And a further thought, is a degree of concern that her induction itself will both overwhelm the competition itself and only serve to provide unflattering counterpoint to the lack of a current star of her magnitude. NBC and the media should do their best to highlight the QUALITIES that made her a champion, not just that she was the ideal (ladies champion). The other disciplines, in my opinion, most notably and obviously DANCE are chock full of worthy media attention, but are NOT getting them in favor of the usual, ladies singles is what makes the world go 'round for the average watcher/presumed target demographic.

[Sylvia]

New article by LA Times' Helene Elliott: Michelle Kwan has found there is life after figure skating

P.S.: I later started a new thread in GSD with this article: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81751

[UGG]

What a great article. Michelle really is an amazing person. I really need to use her as an inspiration as far as setting goals and achieving them. And she looks amazing in that picture!!! So proud to be a fan!! YAY Michelle!

[kwanette]

New article by LA Times' Helene Elliott: Michelle Kwan has found there is life after figure skating

No, she hasn't forgotten the sport. And it will never forget her.

[skatesindreams]

kwanette, that's an understatement!

[Bostonfan]

Another good article here, with lots of quotes from the Kween:

http://espn.go.com/espnw/olympics/75...all-week-espnw

A snippet:

"I still can't watch the 2002 [long program]," Kwan said. "I know exactly what happened. I seized. The '98 one is easier, because I didn't make any mistakes and I thought maybe I had a chance to win."

A deep blue vein of sympathy runs just beneath the skin of her fans' admiration. Kwan has gotten used to people approaching her and saying they wish they could rewind the tape and alter one of those outcomes.

"Trust me, I've encountered so many where they breathed it with me, they felt it, 'I prayed for you' ... and I love that," Kwan said. "It is what it was. It would have been amazing, had I won '98 or 2002 or both. But I still wonder, would I have made the same choices? Would I have made the same discoveries as I did? I'm grateful for what it is and I can't take it back."

[kwanatic]

^^ Awesome article!

If you get the chance, at the bottom there's a reply to the article written by etexman903 that is just...wow. Incredibly touching story about how Michelle's beautiful skating helped him through a very tough time in his life...

[skatesindreams]

A wonderful article.
Michelle continues to impress me, in so many ways.

[kwanette]

Another good article here, with lots of quotes from the Kween:

http://espn.go.com/espnw/olympics/75...all-week-espnw

A snippet:

"I still can't watch the 2002 [long program]," Kwan said. "I know exactly what happened. I seized. The '98 one is easier, because I didn't make any mistakes and I thought maybe I had a chance to win."

A deep blue vein of sympathy runs just beneath the skin of her fans' admiration. Kwan has gotten used to people approaching her and saying they wish they could rewind the tape and alter one of those outcomes.

"Trust me, I've encountered so many where they breathed it with me, they felt it, 'I prayed for you' ... and I love that," Kwan said. "It is what it was. It would have been amazing, had I won '98 or 2002 or both. But I still wonder, would I have made the same choices? Would I have made the same discoveries as I did? I'm grateful for what it is and I can't take it back."

Beautiful article.

[buffyfan02]

New Article by Philip Hersh

He asks her some questions, and Kwan has some interesting responses.

[Sylvia]

FYI, I forgot about this thread and started a new articles/Hall of Fame induction thread yesterday in GSD about the Kween (if a mod. wants to merge, feel free): http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=82270

[attyfan]

Hersh article, part 2:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...7499377.column

[Jammers]

So when is her induction ceremony?

[Jarrett]

It was amazing. Michelle spoke and took photos with everyone multiple times. It was an awesome way to close out the era of skating. She even sent a hand written card and bubbly to us at a gathering we had before the reception. She will always be the kween. packed house, brian b did speech, kristi, scott, paul, frank, peggy, john collins, todd, sarah... too many to name. Magical night.

[kwanette]

It was amazing. Michelle spoke and took photos with everyone multiple times. It was an awesome way to close out the era of skating. She even sent a hand written card and bubbly to us at a gathering we had before the reception. She will always be the kween. packed house, brian b did speech, kristi, scott, paul, frank, peggy, john collins, todd, sarah... too many to name. Magical night.

Thanks, Jarrett. I heard that it was wonderful. A friend called when she got back to her hotel and we talked for 2 hours about it. She said that Michelle was so gracious. When my friend asked MK to sign her program, she(MK) said to her.."I've seen you for years and you never change."

I am so glad that you got to go, Jarrett.

[Garden Kitty]

A few things really struck me about last night:

1. Michelle's graciousness in dealing with the crowd of people who all wanted a picture, autograph or just to say a word to her. She kept her poise in the middle of a big group of people and managed to say something personal and gracious to each group or person

2. Hearing Brian Boitano's voice crack just a bit when introducing her and talking about their years of touring together. Brian B. is one of my favorite skaters and to see the respect and love he had for Michelle was very touching.

3. Michelle's speech was so gracious and heartfelt. Her thanks for everyone who helped and supported her was so genuine. But the most moving part was at the end, when she mentioned how much she loves skating - not just the sport but the act of skating. How she loved the routine and process of training and improving each day, the feel of the blades on the ice as she skated and the freedom it gave her, and the stillness of the arena while she was waiting to start a program. Her obvious love for the sport and the joy in her voice when talking about it was so sweet and it's nice to know that she considers all her years skating as one of the best (but not the only) part of her life.

[mrinalini]

Thanks to everyone for the reports. As someone who's always found the MK/FC dynamic quite interesting, can those who were there share what was said by both of them in regards to each other?

[manleywoman]

I was there too. Some pictures here.

FC didn't speak, but Michelle basically thanked him for an amazing 10 year relationship, and he was the only coach she called out by name. It really was a great event.

[cameron]

Does anyone know if IN plans to provide the whole induction ceremony? Do you know if part will be aired on IN tonight OR will it be NBC? Thanks for any information.

[skatesindreams]

I was there too. Some pictures here.

FC didn't speak, but Michelle basically thanked him for an amazing 10 year relationship, and he was the only coach she called out by name. It really was a great event.

Thank you so much, manleywoman,
What great photos.

How I wish that my travel plans hadn't fallen through!