Michelle Kwan Pulls Out of Olympic Games, Doesn't Feel She is at Her Best Options

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LIVE FROM TORINO: THE LATEST OLYMPIC NEWS

TORINO, Italy -- Michelle Kwan withdrew from the Olympic Games Sunday.

On Saturday at a press conference, Michelle Kwan looks concerned about her Olympic fate. Today (Feb. 12) she announced she was withdrawing from the Games. Photos by Susan D. Russell

“I wish I was here in better circumstances, " she told the press Sunday. "When I first put in the petition, I believed I would be 100 percent. I don't believe I can skate at 100 percent and I respect the Olympics too much. I don't feel that I can compete at my best."

On Saturday, just two days after arriving in Torino and marching in the Opening Ceremonies, Kwan cut her first practice short. She had trouble landing her triple jumps and didn't attempt a run-through of her short program. At one point, she skated to the boards. She appeared upset and it looked as though tears were welling up in eyes. Today it was revealed that Kwan injured an adductor muscle in her right hip (commonly called a groin strain) at a practice Saturday morning at the Palaghiaccio practice rink in Torino, Italy.

This morning’s announcement ends Kwan long quest for Olympic gold. She was the favorite for gold in 1998 but was upset by 15-year-old Tara Lipinski. In 2002 she won bronze, beaten by another U.S. teenager, Sarah Hughes. Irina Slutskaya was the Olympic silver medalist in 2002.

Emily Hughes

Emily Hughes, the first alternate to the team, will take Kwan's place. Hughes will make history when she competes in Torino. The younger sister of Sarah, the 2002 Olympic ladies champion, won bronze at the 2005 World Junior championships less than a year ago. It will be the first time in history two sisters have represented the United States in two consecutive Olympic Games in the same sport. Hughes has not left for Torino yet. On Saturday a severe snow storm not only kept her from flying out of the New York, but made it impossible for her to even drive to practice.

Kwan, a five-time World champion and nine-time U.S. champion, pulled out nationals this year with a groin injury. Sasha Cohen won the event and earned an automatic bid to the Games. Kimmie Meissner took silver and Hughes bronze at the competition. Kwan successfully petitioned to be put on the Olympic team team. Meissner also was selected.

USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth called Kwan’s decision to withdraw a courageous one. "Michelle Kwan means more to the United States Olympic Committee than maybe any athlete that's ever performed for the U.S. Olympic Committee,” he said. "She's been a leader, she's been gracious, she's somebody that cares for so many youngsters that are training in our country.”

"It's always been a dream to win the Olympics and it's always an honor to represent my country,'' said Kwan, whose eyes filled with tears. "I had to make a decision. It was one of the toughest decisions I've had to make, but I know it's the right one. I would love to compete at my third Olympics. It's not only physical pain that is keeping me from performing - it also is emotional as well. I think the best thing for me is to go home and get better. I don't want to be a distraction here."

"I have no regrets. I tried my hardest. And if I don't win the gold, it's OK. I've had a great career. I've been very lucky. This is a sport, and it's beautiful.''