She passes the torch

Day two of the Torino Games will always be the day Michelle Kwan bowed out.

Not on the rink like she'd have preferred, but at a news conference. She said her reinjured groin meant "I don't believe I can be at 100 percent and I respect the Olympics too much."

I wonder if people understand why she tried to compete to begin with, and why she says she won't compete unless she can give it her best, especially with alternate Emily Hughes ready to step in.

Nobleness and grace mixed with passion isn't always seen for what it is, and our society always seems skeptical that someone can be as good and pure as they seem. But Michelle's a great athlete, has always conducted herself with class, and did the right thing in stepping aside on her terms.

There's so much heartbreak squeezed into headlines like the Times' Michelle Kwan Pulls Out of Olympics . But the article does have its moment of levity as an emotional:

United States Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth attended Kwan‚s news conference and led several sports leaders in applauding her when she left.

"Michelle Kwan means more to the United States Olympic Committee and to the United States than [maybe] any athlete that has ever performed at the Olympics," Ueberroth said. "She has made a gracious decision."

Unless he's talking about her fund-raising prowess or something, I think Jesse Owens, Mark Spitz, Eric Heiden, Mike Eruzione, and Carl Lewis, among other Olympians, definitely meant more to the U.S.!

But it's no stretch to say very few Olympians have made so many people smile--Kwan was always a delight to watch, and since she showed all her emotions on her face you felt as she did.

Sure, the depths of disappointment, of hopes dashed, of putting on a brave face--but also the pure joy of skating fast and well across the ice, the excitement and pride of competing well against the best from all over the world.

Maybe one reason why she never won gold--apart from the Nagano judges' dumb preference for jumping bean Tara over Michelle's skating artistry--was she was always too warm for this sport. Too nice, not cold-hearted and single-minded enough.

She always talked about wanting to have the complete Olympics experience, to spend time with her fellow athletes, take in other sports, soak up the atmosphere of the Olympic Village. So in some ways it's appropriate that her choice to walk in Torino's opening ceremonies rather than hide away like others superstars do contributed to her reinjury.

NBC near the end of its broadcast tonight took a look at Michelle's Kwan's Olympic career. Jimmy Roberts started by saying she'll be 29 in four years, so this is probably it for Kwan. It's actually a very apt comment, even if he's doing it in a pro forma manner. If only....

To Puccini's opening ceremonies Turandot, they look back on Kwan's Olympic career. It's a well-done piece. If bittersweet to watch. But nice prose by Jimmy--"When did Michelle Kwan become old"--and great choice of footage. The early footage in particular is unbelievable, she was so young in 1994.

Roberts wraps the piece by quoting Peggy Fleming as saying no one will ever again win 9 national championship like Michelle did. It's maybe more apt to end with Michelle's words from her news conference:

My parents are here, they arrived last night and they always want me to be happy, for their baby to win the gold and make my dreams come true. But I have no regrets. I tried my hardest. And if I don't win the gold, it's OK. I've had a great career. I've been very lucky. This is a sport, and it's beautiful.

Photo of Michelle Kwan withdrawing by Mark Baker/ AP