Guest Author - Caroline Baker

As we close this year’s Chinese New Years celebration, so too do we close the hopes of Chinese-American Michelle Kwan winning the gold in this year’s Winter Olympics.

Michelle has had an outstanding career as a women’s figure skater. She’s one five World Championships, the most by any woman to date and nine US National Championships, tying for the most ever. But what has eluded her during her whole career has been the gold at the Olympics, having been seated out one year, winning bronze and then silver.

But Michelle was more than just a fabulous figure skater. For many young Chinese-American girls, she was someone we could relate to. She was a Chinese-American making it in an area, sports, where we had very few role models in the US at that time. It is interesting to see how her cultural background influences how she does as an athlete. Her grace and flow resemble that of many traditional Chinese dancers. But more than that, her quite humility and pose coupled with a strong competitive edge evokes the spirit of Chinese people everywhere.

In her first chance to enter the Olympics, her story was shadowed by the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan incident. Amidst anger and frustration by many in the Chinese community that she was being asked to step down, Michelle graciously left the spotlight and a more determined, harder working skater to emerge at the next chance.

As she emerged into the next Olympics, she had several titles (along with several trips) along her way. However, she was considered the favorite to win in Japan. Only, the gold yet again eluded her as young Tara Lipinski skated an amazing performance. Michelle stood by, graciously cheering on her teammate but all the while you could see the tears in her eyes as she watched yet another gold opportunity slip through her fingers.

By this time she had become an icon of women’s figure skating. People of all nationalities and backgrounds knew her story of attempts and failures and were cheering for her to win just once.

She made another attempt at reaching that gold this season, but an injury put her out of the competition in December. In what seemed like a fitting conclusion to her journey, it was now her turn to put in a petition for a spot on the Olympic team, same as what was done to her during her first Olympics. And while she did try and the world held their breath as she went back on the ice, it was clear there was something missing.

With yet another gracious gesture, she stepped off the ice and made way for another competitor on her team. She even declined a position on NBC’s staff as announcer during the Winter Olympics as she didn’t want to usurp the spotlight from the other athletes.

And so as we close this year’s Chinese New Years, so too do we likely close Michelle Kwan’s chances of ever getting an Olympic gold. But even without that medal, she will always be a star in many of our eyes. And to young Chinese-American girls that grew up along side her, she will be an enduring symbol of hope, strength, determination, and hard work. As her moto says: Work hard, have fun, and be yourself.

Good luck Michelle, in whatever you do after this!