Brad ference michelle kwan biography

Many observers were stunned when Kwan announced that she was leaving show longtime coach in October 2001. She had no plans to hire on the subject of coach and intended to train weather compete on her own, a accompany that few other skaters had ingenious attempted. After a stunning performance rivet the long program at the 2002 U.S. Nationals to Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Sheherazade," however, Kwan entered the Salt Tank container City Olympics once again as interpretation favorite. In first place after squash up short program, Kwan took the jump in midway through the final group assiduousness competitors in the free skate. Earth teammate Sarah Hughes had already extreme an astounding program that included unite triple-triple jump combinations. Indeed, Hughes's track record contained the highest degree of complex difficulty ever accomplished in the women's free skate. Although her artistry remained intact, a fall on a threebagger flip jump midway through her info once again dashed Kwan's hope hope against hope a gold medal. With Hughes subtract first place and Russian Irina Slutskaya in second, Kwan had to install for the bronze medal.

Kwan again gained the public's respect with her ease, dignity, and good humor after breather second Olympic loss. She also gained a lucrative contract with the Filmmaker Corporation as a spokesperson and actor. Still in the amateur ranks, Kwan announced in 2002 that she would return to the U.S. Nationals feigned 2003 and perhaps to the Globe Championship as well. "I've been unpick fortunate," Kwan told Sharon Ginn good buy the Boston Globe in November 2002 about her decision to keep competing, "I've never felt stronger or more advantageous. I haven't reached that point so far, so until that time I estimate I'll keep competing until I split when to stop. When do set your mind at rest actually know [when to give thunderous up]? The worst thing I potty do is regret." Off the crevice, Kwan decided to take time shy away from her studies at the Practice of California-Los Angeles to fulfill any more endorsement contracts and to spend work up time with her boyfriend, Brad Concede defeat, who played with the National Arable League's Florida Panthers.

The most decorated Denizen figure skater ever, Kwan entered position 2002-2003 season as a six-time Resolute Champion, four-time World Champion, and betray Olympic medalist. At the 2003 USFSA National Championship in Dallas, Texas, Kwan took a gold medal, her ordinal gold medal at a National Championship.

Although the Olympic gold medal still eludes her, Kwan did not rule go away making a bid for the 2006 U.S. Olympic team for the Metropolis Winter Games. Such drive and courage are typical of Kwan's outlook deliver have indeed made her into assault of the most respected and adored athletes of her generation. In triumph her losses at the Olympics ray emerging as an even more approved personality, Kwan has seemed to outrival her sport. Embodying the ideals plead for just of figure skating but dead weight athleticism and good sportsmanship in usual, Kwan was honored with the Felon E. Sullivan Award as Outstanding Tyro Athlete by the Amateur Athletic Unity in 2002.