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Dream over as Kwan pulls out of Olympics
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-13 05:35
TURIN, Italy: US figure skating star Michelle Kwan's dream of winning the
only title missing from her illustrious career ended yesterday when she was
forced to withdraw from the Turin Olympics after picking up a new injury in
practice.
Figure skater
Michelle Kwan of the United States listens to a question during a media
conference after pulling out of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in
Turin, Italy, February 12, 2006.
[Reuters] |
The five-time world champion injured her right hip adductor while landing a
triple flip jump in her first pratice session on Saturday.
The injury bothered her all day and she was diagnosed with severe groin
strain.
"Taking myself off the team is the most difficult decision I've ever had to
make but it's the right decision," a tearful nine-time US champion Kwan told a
press conference.
But she refused to discuss the prospect of ending her career.
"I can't even think past right now," she said.
"The injury prevents me from skating my best and I've said all along that if
I couldn't skate to the level that I expected from myself I'd withdraw from the
team.
"It's physical pain that is keeping me from performing but also emotional as
well.
"I'd love to compete in my third Olympics, but I think it's all about the US
bringing their best team to the Olympics. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of
that.
"The best thing is to go home and get better. I wouldn't want to be a
distraction."
Her withdrawal has opened the way for 16-year-old Emily Hughes, sister of
2002 Olympic champion Sarah, to compete.
Hughes finished third at the US nationals but lost her spot on the team after
Kwan was given a medical bye.
She will arrive in Turin next week.
Kwan, 25, insisted that she had felt good coming to Turin despite her lack of
competition this season with groin and hip injuries.
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