Michelle says No to NBC - Pressure moves to Sasha and Emily
Today Michelle Kwan again said “No, thank you” to NBC’s offer to be a guest commentary for the Olympics Ladies Figure Skating Finals. NBC’s first offer had come when it was considered a possibility she would be unable to skate a couple months ago. This morning after her interview with Scott Hamilton and Bob Costas, they repeated the offer, but Michelle said she did not want to “she didn't want to be a distraction for remaining members of the U.S. Olympic figure skating team.” She had also stated this at the Press Conference when she announced her withdrawal earlier the morning.So following her interviews and other obligations, Michelle quietly went back to the Olympic Village packed her bags and left, to join her family at their rented apartment in Torin, until she can secure a return flight to Los Angeles.
Today Sasha Cohen, the 2006 US National Ladies Champion began to feel the spotlight ratchet up on her with Michelle’s departure. When asked about Michelle’s withdrawal, the 21 year old, Sasha appeared to be introspective in her statement that this situation “humanizes the sport.” Considering how Sasha has always been in Michelle’s shadow, we shall see how she handles the pressure.While Michelle departs Torin, Emily Hughes is trying to
dig out of the Nor’easter Blizzard that has dumped at least 18 inches of snow on her Long Island, NY hometown. In the past 24 hours, since USFSA President, Ron Hershberger, called the Hughes Family to inform them to bring Emily to Torin, Emily has been interviewed by the major media outlets. All in all, Emily seems to be handling the spotlight pretty well and appears to be getting great advice from her family and older sister, Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes. Now if we could get the roads open so Emily could get to the local practice rink, it would help her begin to prepare for her first major Senior event.
