Michelle Kwan (Threads Merged)

[Simone411]

Yes indeed. That's another of Michelle's gifts: how she helped bring together so many people with different backgrounds who became friends through sharing the experience of loving her and following her career.

Dick's "rusty hoot" utterance during this performance ... classic!

Oh gosh! maybe I should go back to that tape and remake the video!!! I forgot about Uncle Dickie's "rusty hoot"! I might just do that tomorrow!

Well, I kept wondering why I didn't complete the videos of the 2000 Worlds. I thought at first that maybe I didn't tape it all. There had been a bad storm that day it was aired on ABC. That wasn't the case at all. I had made the video of Michelle's short program, and I remembered today why I hadn't finished making the videos. During that point in time, I had gotten a DivShare acct. and was sharing them on MKF. I was planning on making the video of the LP. It was in 2011 when I suddenly became ill with the Necrotizing Fasciitis. That sort of changed my life forever, and I had to stay in a nursing facility for a year.

Well, I found that tape earlier and decided that it was about time that I made the other videos! So here they are: <3

Michelle's short program which I had already made in 2011.
Michelle's long program, Red Violin
Final Results Fluff/Interview.
Medal Ceremony Michelle Kwan, Irina Slutskaya and Maria Butyrskaya.

You see, it was important to me that I do this. It partially has to do with my title under my avatar - Do it while you still can! <3

Oh gosh! Just editing. I forgot I had made a separate video of the K and C of Michelle from the 2003 Worlds! lol!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ygdHSKv4k

And Uncle Dickie does say "rusty hoot!"

 

[kittyjake5]

There is one performance that has always been amazing to me and always will. I know it's been seen several times, but it's worth watching again.
Michelle's LP from 2003 Worlds

It's been uploaded by others, but my upload of Michelle's LP is a little different than the others. You can enjoy 'everything' (in all aspects) in this video.

Thanks Angie that was great! So many Kwanwonderful programs! Long live the Kween!

 

[Simone411]

@kittyjake5 be sure and check out the K and C video. I had made a separate video of that and Uncle Dickie does say "rusty hoot!" I just edited my other post, but here's the link again! It's worth seeing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ygdHSKv4k

 

[kwanette]

This performance never fails to make me smile. It was magical being in the arena for that performance..I still get chills watching it.

 

[Yazmeen]

I saw her compete live in 1998 (all event ticket, wonderful seats) and also in 2003 (last minute nosebleed seats, but worth every penny). Two of my very favorite skating memories, the crowd roar for both still lives in my heart.

 

[Sylvia]

Kwan going to bat for Boston's 2024 Olympic bid
Decorated U.S. skater announced as integral part of board of directors
Posted 4/30/15 by Sarah S. Brannen, special to icenetwork
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2015/04/30/121481464

Thread for Boston's 2024 Summer Olympics bid in the Other Sports forum with news of MK's involvement: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...-for-2024-summer-olympics.94528/#post-4514151

 

[kittyjake5]

^Great IN article. GO BOSTON 2024!!!!

 

[Simone411]

Sylvia, thank you for sharing that! Hope this works out for Boston! Go 2024 Olympics! Just figured out my age in 2024 - 66! I guess I can use my favorite theme song again for that year and for the predictions if I'm still around! Route 66

I just can't help but add this video. It's my most favorite Exhibition of Michelle's.

From 2003 Worlds, Fields of Gold <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXuKu2UGZyk

 

[bardtoob]

It is wonderful that such great opportunities to contribute have opened up for Michelle. Planning a bid for an Olympics is an industrial sized undertaking, including construction, infrastructure, supply chain, and mass transit planning, so being part of the top level is amazing experience.

Maybe someday Michelle will be a member of the IOC like Speedy is now by virtue of his Presidency of the ISU.

 

[DreamSkates]

@kittyjake5 be sure and check out the K and C video. I had made a separate video of that and Uncle Dickie does say "rusty hoot!" I just edited my other post, but here's the link again! It's worth seeing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ygdHSKv4k

Oh such joy, calm, ease and confidence in her skating. I don't see so much of that these days. Yet another way I miss her skating. She brought more than just another program to us each year.

 

[Artistic Skaters]

Off the ice, Kwan strives to level playing field - Decorated Olympian now wields diplomatic clout :

http://www.unewsonline.com/2015/05/01/off-the-ice-kwan-strives-to-level-playing-field/

“I wear many hats, or as I say, I have many slashes in my life. I’m a wife; I’m an Olympian; I am a World and U.S. champion; I’m a Public Diplomacy Envoy; and sometimes I do pushups with the First Lady … but I do all of these things in the hope that I can inspire people on the things I’ve learned through sports, and to encourage others to always lend a helping hand.”

 

[OliviaPug]

What an experience it must have been to see that performance "up close and personal"; after many thought she would "decline" after the disappointment of SLC.

It was my all-time highlight in figure skating. Michelle and Shen & Zhao. Perfection. And Plushenko was unreal too -- especially in practice! (Not joking.) I'll never forget it. Never.

And having Dick Button hold the door for my mom and me at the bar at the Hotel Monaco and chatting us up ... that was very cool too!

O-

 

[Simone411]

And having Dick Button hold the door for my mom and me at the bar at the Hotel Monaco and chatting us up ... that was very cool too!

Now that is what I call Awesome!

 

[Karpenko]

I found this mashup of her Taj Mahal program that I love, it's also timed really well so you can see the full program at its maximum potential:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AyKjHSL7cBA

There is also two costumes to choose from.

P.S. My 10,000th post, in the Michelle Kwan thread, with my favorite ladies skater and long program ever.

 

[Coco]

Your avatar is the greatest thing ever.

 

[skatesindreams]

P.S. My 10,000th post, in the Michelle Kwan thread, with my favorite ladies skater and long program ever.

Congratulations!

I love the program, as well.
No one else could have done it justice.

 

[taf2002]

Oh gosh! Just editing. I forgot I had made a separate video of the K and C of Michelle from the 2003 Worlds! lol!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ygdHSKv4k

And Uncle Dickie does say "rusty hoot!"

OMG - that screenshot with Scott Williams! That was the icing on the cake.

I've been lucky in the events I've gotten to go to - I was there for that performance, also for the national titles at Dallas, St Louis, & Portland, as well as several GP events, fluff comps, & shows. But I think 2003 Worlds was my favorite, not only for Michelle but for the world title for Shen & Zhou. Fabulous skating!

 

[kwanette]

My favorite headline from 2006 Nats in St. Louis..."Cohen wins, Kwan in.." Even when she wasn't there, she was there..

 

[Karpenko]

This year will be the 20th anniversary of her first National title, I think she'll also be there this year.

They renamed the people's choice award the Michelle Kwan trophy. They can't rename the competition for legal reasons.

 

[Simone411]

I truly hope Michelle is there! I'm also thankful that the competition can't be renamed. I'm truly amazed about all of Michelle's accomplishments. She is one special lady that has truly made a difference in this world.

When Michelle won her 5th Worlds title in 2003, I was given a challenge to write a poem about her. I don't usually write poems about skaters, but for some reason, I was able to write this particular poem about Michelle. I included this poem in my book.

05/03/03

Ballerina on the Ice

Ballerina on the ice.
Angelical beauty, so concise.
Natural artistry of a delicate swan;
The talented works of Michelle Kwan.

Ballerina on the Ice.
Facing challenge, and yet, so precise.
Arabesque with no disgrace
As we saw the desire on Michelle's face.

Ballerina on the Ice.
Deserved admiration, and still precise.
The appreciated artistry of the delicate swan.
Five Golden moments for Michelle Kwan.

 

[Marco]

I came across an Amy Schumer bit on youtube the other day and she mentioned the Kween. Funny.

 

[Sylvia]

Another interruption; http://today.salve.edu/michelle-kwan-to-present-commencement-address/

"Michelle Kwan, the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history who now devotes her time to public service as a State Department official and Special Olympics International board member, will present the Commencement address and be awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters during Salve Regina’s 65th Commencement on Sunday, May 17."

 

[bardtoob]

Michelle Kwan still draws media attention to figure skating

 

[zigzig]

Nice Michelle listicle!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/cathyngo/michelle-kwan-forever#.iqo6r542G

 

[Simone411]

Here's an article about Michelle addressing the graduates at Salve's commencement today:

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150517/NEWS/150519360/14111

 

[Sylvia]

Photos from the Salve Regina ceremony, plus quotes from her speech: http://www.icenetwork.com/photos/125334148

Kwan left the stage with these words: "Follow your passions in life, because that's when the qualities in you are awakened. That is what inspires the discipline to sacrifice, the patience to endure, the vision to succeed. That's what gives each and every one of you the heart of a champion."

Also: https://www.salve.edu/news/michelle...bound-be-falls-ahead-true-test-how-we-recover

Slighter longer version of the Providence Journal article (May 18, 2015): http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150518/NEWS/150519340

 

[Sylvia]

VIDEO of Michelle Kwan's commencement address at Salve Regina (courtesy of Salve Regina University / 17 minutes): http://web.icenetwork.com/video/v122662483

 

[Simone411]

Thanks for sharing the information, Sylvia. When I saw Michelle compete at the 1996 Ultimate Four challenge, I knew then that she had an awesome future ahead of her. I just knew, somehow, that her future would go far beyond skating. I don't know if it was because of her sportsmanship at that young age in 1996 or if it was her positive attitude. I knew she had values and respect at her young age, and she also believed in something that I believed in all my life; Never believe in the word, "Impossible".

My parents instilled that belief in me, and I believe Michelle's parents instilled that same belief in her.

It was this performance from the 1996 Ultimate Four that made me realize just how versatile Michelle really was:

Pocahontas

 

[Sylvia]

https://twitter.com/MichelleWKwan/status/601096490073874434
Come skate w/ me this Sunday [May 24 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island] & support @SpecialOlympics #UnifiedRelay. Learn more:
http://uraa.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=5350

 

[Sylvia]

Photos from yesterday's event:

"This is what happens when I haven't skated in awhile - too excited! #skate-fie":
https://instagram.com/p/3E8VUYBILD/?taken-by=michellewkwan

https://instagram.com/p/3FyRBGhIPB/

https://twitter.com/MichelleWKwan/status/602547460830007297