Disappointing thousands of loyal fans, two-time Olympic medalist, Michelle Kwan has decided not to compete in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, ending her career on the ice without a gold medal. Instead, she has chosen to pursue a master’s degree at Tufts University.
As reported In the Los Angeles Times, she announced today that she will not compete in the 2009-10 season.
As listed in the LA Times, she won an unprecedented 43 championships, including world titles in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003; nine U.S. championships (eight of them consecutively) in 1996 and from 1998 through 2005, and her two Olympic medals. No American man or woman has won more world or U.S. titles.
Opting for academic excellence this time, Kwan said she preferred to continue her education and a public diplomacy career she began in 2006.
“Skating will always be a part of me,” she said “But, in the bigger picture of my life, I have always wanted to find a career that will allow me to make a positive contribution and difference in the world.
“Representing the United States as an American Public Diplomacy Envoy the past three years has been very rewarding, and I want to do more. Furthering my education will bring me closer to that goal, and I don’t want to wait any longer to continue the journey.”
Few diplomats have made such sacrifices – with this decision she deserves another gold medal. She will serve us well.
