Olympics: Kwan Shorts Practice
I woke up this morning to hear that Michelle Kwan cut her practice short this morning in Turin. She's said she felt stiff. I'm honestly not surprised. Michelle, who's now 25 and recovering from a serious groin injury, got a bye at Nationals to be appointed to the Olympic Team.
Some people say she shouldn't be going. I'm not one of them. At 25 Michelle has earned the right to be on the ice and compete, IF SHE thinks she is able to do a good job. But no one other than Michelle can make that choice. About now a lot of you are going "huh?" So let me explain...
Michelle is one of the most brutally honest skaters about her ability I have ever known. (Other than I was about myself.) She has learned to listen to those inner voices inside your body that tell you when you're ready, or not. That comes with age and experience. Ask any older world class level skater/athlete.
Sure she's stiff, after sitting hours in a plane and walking around outside at the opening ceremonies. Michelle's bound to be stiff, a little sore and dealing with the jet-lag of the LA to Turin flight. International travel for West Coast LA skaters has always been a major PITA, and she's no different. Michelle's smart enough to know that she has to get herself back on an intensive rehab and rest program while at The Games so she can be ready well before she skates her first program on Feb 21 when the Short Program starts the competition. She has 10 days. Knowing her potential and how those inner voices work, I know she's got time.
It would be nice if the media wouldn't expect her to be a "perfect" skater everytime she takes the ice to practice.
