MAIN Sports Sports Stars Michelle Kwan

Born Michelle Wing Kwan on July 7, 1980 in Torrance, California, Kwan has become one of the world's most famous figure skaters.

Although she has won five World Championships (in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, and again 2003) Olympic gold continues to elude her to the dismay of her huge following numbering millions around the world.

Kwan began her love of skating at age five when she bested two older siblings on the ice, and later went on to train professionally after her parents recognized her rare talent.

By age 13, Kwan finished in sixth place in her first senior U.S. championships later won the 1994 World Junior title.

Kwan soon made tabloid headlines when she was swept up in the bizarre Tonya Harding - Nancy Kerrigan scandal in 1994 when she lost out on a chance to become part of the U.S. Olympic team at Lillehammer.

She had finished second behind Tonya Harding at the U.S. championships, which ordinarily would have earned her a spot on the Olympic team. However, by default her spot was given to Nancy Kerrigan, who could not complete in the U.S. nationals after being injured by assailants allegedly hired by Tonya Harding!

With Harding and Kerrigan having left the amateur level, Kwan quietly continued on to win the U.S. and World championships in 1996 and 1998. Soon a favorite at the Nagano Olympic Games, Kwan was beaten by skating phenom Tara Lipinski, who won the gold. Kwan took home the silver.

Kwan was once again a favorite at the Salt Lake City Games, but was outshone by newcomer Sarah Hughes in 2002.

Recently, Kwan withdrew from the U.S. Nationals due to a groin injury, but remained determined to compete in the Winter Olympic Games in Torino.

However, a re-injury during a practice session in Torino forced her withdrawal from the 2006 Olympic arena, dashing her dreams of a gold medal yet again - as Emily Hughes, younger sister of Sarah Hughes, the Olympic gold winner at the 2002 Winter Games, was picked as her replacement.

In a testament to her overwhelming popularity, Kwan's autobiography, "Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion" has been in continuous print since it was first published in 1997.

Capitalizing on her international reputation, Kwan took on a new challenge, that of U.S. goodwill ambassador, in 2006 and continues to work for the American government on diplomatic missions around the world.

More about Michelle Kwan around the Web:

Michelle Kwan - Bio and detailed career overview by Wikipedia with pictures, related links.

Michelle Kwan - U.S. Figure Skating Athlete Bio - Pictures, news & updates, vital stats, career timeline and awards list.

Michelle Kwan Video Site - Huge cache of video clips from Kwan's long and short programs, plus extensive photo gallery, news & updates.

Michelle Kwan Fan Page - News & updates, bio, fan mail address, event schedule, career records, photo gallery, video clips,

also see -> Sasha Cohen | Johnny Weir | Emily Hughes

also see -> Ice Skating | Winter Olympics

Olympic Figure Skating