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Obviously, if you have found yourself here, you have expressed interest in Michelle Kwan. Most webmasters would begin their introduction to Michelle with a complete biography and listing the awards she has won and the titles she has claimed, but not I. Still interested? I hope so. Now what could a furtive teenager have to tell you about Michelle Kwan that could explain the phenomenon? Most people make their websites to "dedicate to their interest", by saying that the page is "for Michelle", when in fact, they just want to selfishly show off all of their HTML skills or win awards. Funny learning about the underground, huh?
Okay, I'll stop scaring you; things really aren't that bad, but I just wanted to get my points across. Why did I create this page? Because I truly admire what Michelle Kwan represents to the world of figure skating and as an athlete, an artist and a person. For those of you who have seen her skate just one time know the aura of beauty and determination that surrounds her.
Am I a figure skater? Most certainly not. Have I tried it before? Of course. I just don't jump very well and it's very impractical to be a figure skater in South Florida. Does that mean that I, or someone else not as blessed in that talent department can't appreciate the joys of Michelle's skating? Of course not. What draws me to Michelle is her humility and the fact that she stays down to earth despite winning World Championships left and right (okay, so I included a competition-so shoot me).
Many fans have asked me, "Why did you pick Michelle Kwan? Why not Tara Lipinski? She's the one who got the Olympic gold medal?" I used to just grit my teeth and spew out a line of expletives about Tara Lipinski and that fateful night in 1998 to sufficiently scare off my friends. However, I've grown up since then, and I recognize Tara as an excellent skater, just not the kind of skater I admire. Michelle Kwan, on the other hand, skated beautifully as well and deserved her silver medal. On any other night, it could have gone a different way and we'd have seen Michelle go professional (perhaps).
But of course, there is always a silver lining (always the optimist). I doubt that if Michelle had not perservered through the years, she would not have blossomed, from girl to woman, from woman to star. Watching her expressions, interpretations, and yes, even her delight and special caring for each individual fan (the masses!), constantly amazes me and really examplifies not the type of skater she is, but the type of artist and person that she is, and the type of free person I want to be.
Written January 5, 2000
