ITALY: OLYMPIC GAMES - Press conference by American figure skater Michelle Kwan hinting she may pull out of the Turin Winter Olympics

Record ID: 332507

  • Title: ITALY: OLYMPIC GAMES - Press conference by American figure skater Michelle Kwan hinting she may pull out of the Turin Winter Olympics
  • Date: 12th February 2006
  • Summary: TURIN, ITALY (FEBRUARY 11, 2006) (REUTERS) WIDE OF PRESS HALL WITH MICHELLE KWAN SITTING AT TABLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) KWAN SAYING: "I know that it's been a struggle for me this year as I've gone through a lot of injuries and I'm just happy to be here. I think taking one thing at a time for me is important, listening to my body is important." WIDE OF PRESS HALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) KWAN SAYING: "Sitting in the outside for four hours yesterday wasn't good for my body, when I woke up this morning I didn't feel too good. I came home about midnight, got some heat pads and put them on my body and this morning I felt stiff and not ready. "First day of practice is nerve-racking and my coach isn't here today, he hasn't arrived yet, so it was all everything rolled into one." KWAN SITTING ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) KWAN SAYING: "I think I have to pay attention to how I feel these days, you know it is important that I'm in touch with it right now, you know being serious about it, how I'm skating and how I'm feeling. Dropping out is not something I want to do, but I have to listen to what my feelings are." WIDE OF PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) KWAN SAYING: "Physically if I'm not able to skate I would give up my spot." WIDE OF PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) KWAN SAYING: "I think the Olympics is an incredible competition. Like yesterday having hundreds of countries come together to compete and strive to be the best. I think for any athlete being here is an honour to represent your country to come here and go out there and make your country proud."
  • Embargoed: 27th February 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5UG4QTVQE6XF55SFZBJGAD65I
  • Story Text: American figure skater Michelle Kwan hinted she may pull out of the Turin Winter Olympics after struggling during practice on Saturday (February 11).
    "Physically if I'm not able to skate I would give up my spot," Kwan, who has been hampered by a groin injury, told reporters.
    "I went to the Opening Ceremony yesterday and sitting outside in the cold for four hours wasn't good for my body and I felt stiff this morning," she said. "I really have to pay attention to how I'm feeling these days. Dropping out is not what I want to do but I have to listen to what my feelings are."
    Kwan, a five-times world champion, has barely competed over the past season and needed a medical waiver to qualify for the Olympics after being unable to participate at last month's U.S. nationals.
    Kwan, who also blamed her problems on jetlag, has never won an Olympic gold.
    One of the most recognized sportswomen in the United States, she won a silver in 1998 behind fellow American Tara Lipinski and a bronze in Salt Lake City four years ago.
    The women's competition starts on Tuesday, February 21.
    "It's been a struggle for me this year as I've gone through a lot of injuries," said the 25-year-old.
    Her inclusion in the American team has been controversial as usually the top three at the nationals qualify for the Olympics.
    However, despite barely meeting the criteria for inclusion, she was given a spot in the Olympics at the expense of American bronze medalist Emily Hughes, the sister of 2002 Games champion Sarah.
    The American had been the overwhelming favourite to win the women's title at the last two Olympics but is now an outsider for a medal in Turin after failing to adapt to the new judging system that was introduced following the 2002 pairs scandal.
    In her only competition under the new format, she finished fourth at last year's world championships.
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