Michelle Kwan is an American figure skater. She has won nine U.S. championships, five World Championships, and two Olympic medals. She has remained competitive for over a decade and is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history.
Known for her consistency and expressive artistry on ice, she is widely considered to be one of the greatest figure skaters of all time.
Kwan's interest in figure skating began at the age of five when she followed her two older siblings (ice hockey player Ron and figure skater Karen) onto the ice. Karen and Michelle began serious training when Michelle was about 8 years old. They practiced three to four hours a day, waking up at 3am to skate before school and going back to the rink right after school to skate again.
Paying for their increased skating-rink time led to financial hardship for Kwan's working class family. Her mother took on a second job and her father started working extra hours to finance the rink time and coaching fees. Eventually the family decided to sell their house, but that still was not adequate to finance the children's skating careers. When Kwan was ten years old, her family could no longer afford a coach, but they were offered financial assistance by a fellow member of the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club that allowed them to train at the Ice Castle International Training Center in Lake Arrowhead, California.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that she has appointed figure skating champion Michelle Kwan as the first American Public Diplomacy Envoy. A role in which she promotes the positive aspects of American culture and democratic principles.
“I’ve always wanted to somehow serve our country, to contribute and to make a difference,” said figure skating champion Michelle Kwan who was appointed as the first American Public Diplomacy Envoy, a role in which she promotes the positive aspects of American culture and democratic principles.
Kermit: Perseverance Pays! Know ur dream & work hard for it people! PROPER PLANNING HELPS A GREAT DEAL! [That's something I'm working on too :D ]
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