Michelle Kwan was elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame earlier this week. From what I can tell, she is the only one elected this year and I kind of think it's appropriate that she would have a ceremony of her very own. US Figure Skating has her election as the opening to its website right now and they are touting the induction ceremony that will take place in conjunction with the U.S. National Championships on Friday, January 27th.
From 1995-2005, Kwan won an unprecedented 43 championships, which include five world titles and eight consecutive (and nine overall) U.S. titles. She is a two-time Olympic medalist, winning silver in 1998 and bronze in 2002. In the nearly 100-year history of U.S. Figure Skating, no American man or woman has won more world titles, U.S. titles or Olympic medals.
Kwan received 57 perfect 6.0 marks in major competitions, the most of any skater in history. She was awarded at least one 6.0 at her last five U.S. Championships, a record that will endure as the 6.0 system is no longer used. At the 1998 U.S. Championships, Kwan earned a record 15 perfect 6.0 marks out of a possible 18.
In 2006, the U.S. Secretary of State appointed Kwan as the first U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy. In 2010, President Obama appointed her to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and she was elected to the Board of Directors of Special Olympics International.
Who beats Michelle Kwan? Not too many people, in my book.
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