I have to disagree with the sentiments that Michelle Kwan didn’t qualify for the olympics.
She’s been a world champion 5 times and, barring injury, is the best skater in the US. She is not the first person to get a medical relief into the olympics.

She has always wanted a gold. She didn’t go to Torino for anything less. As the injury re-emerged, she realized a gold wan’t likely, she met with officials and backed out. Emily ughes was named first alternate following Nationals, and should be ready to perform at her highest level since, as an alternate, she should have been training at her facility at home, as though she may skate.

This was no publicity stunt. And, in fact, the US Olympic Commitee was equally as sad that she had to pull out. The US Olympic Committee wanted her there.

As Americans, we should be feel bad for her for the fact that we are now not sending our best three skaters to compete. Hopefully, as we show our support for Emily Hughes she will rise to occasion and compete for a medal, and maybe follow her sister’s footsteps and upset the competition by winning a gold.