Hello Mary Lu

A personal commentary:

A few minutes ago the Peter Ueberroth, Chairmen of the USOC and Ron Hershberger, President of the USFSA , as well as other officials held a press conference in which they and Michelle Kwan's, officially announced her withdrawal from the 2006 Olympic Games in Torin, because of a new injury to her abductor area of her hip muscle. It is a new injury and makes it nearly impossible to jump and pull in a spin. Michelle's behavior and conduct was an example of total class and grace under pressure. Most of you will never comprehend the amount of intellect, honesty and courage Michelle showed by withdrawing from the competition in the timely manner she did. In thinking of her "respect for the Olympics, and the team" first, she has given her replacement Emily Hughes a reasonable opportunity to prepare to come to Italy and skate.

Without her own PR person in tow, Michelle sat alone in front of the media. Michelle made her own announcement:

• "Taking myself off the team is the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. But it's the right decision. The Olympics is the greatest sporting event in the world and what's most important is that the United States fields the strongest team possible... As much as I'd love to represent the United States, I would never stand in the way of that."

From there, Michelle fielded questions from the media like a pro. Never did she ask for anyone's pity, nor did she complain or whine about not being able to win an Olympic Gold Medal. That just isn't Michelle. Never did she try to re-spin a question to her advantage, but answered the questions openly and honestly about her injury, and that she had spoken with her parents and other skaters about her decision before she made the announcement. In reality she did her best to put the entire situation into perspective by reminding us that figure skating, "is sport-- it's beautiful" but it's not life, and her world will not come to an end if she doesn't compete and win an Olympics'>Olympic Gold Medal. Michelle's too smart for that type of perspective. Her perspective comes from being grounded by a family and friends who never allowed her to be a total "rink rat" and expected her to be well educated and work hard.

When asked what she was going to do next, she said she was going home to LA, where she could get treatment for her injury and be out of the spotlight. She wants people could focus on the other skaters in the competition and not be a distraction.

Today all of us in the skating world should be proud she is one of us. Welcome home Michelle. You're still our champion.

A podcast of her Press Conference is here.

I'm voting for Michelle for the DHL Olympic Spirit Award. Want to join me?

After thought: In this day and age of "prima donna" athletes, every athlete professional or amateur should be forced to watch how she conducted herself and model themselves after Michelle.