Pic of the Week: American Legends

She is the most decorated U.S. skater in history. She's a 9 time U.S. National Champion, 5 time World Champion, 3 time World Silver Medalist, a World Bronze Medalist, and twice she has stood upon the Olympic Podium as a Silver and Bronze Medalists. All this combined with countless wins at other national and international competitions makes Michelle Kwan pretty amazing.

For over a decade her positive demeanor and solid approach to competition and life in general endeared the American (and much of the world) public to her. She was as gracious in her wins as she was in her defeats. She handled pressure unlike any competitor before or since her competitive days.

In my estimation, her greatest moment came when she withdrew from the 2006 Olympic Games, not because she didn't want to try and compete, injured or not, but because she believed in the Olympic Games so much that she wanted someone 100% to compete. The benefactor of her selfless decision was Emily Hughes, who capitalized on Michelle Kwan wonderful grace.

Michelle continues to be a shining example of sportsmanship, citizenship, womanhood, and any other positive quality you could hope to find in an individual. Her work for the U.S. Department of State as a Goodwill Ambassador has taken her to corners of the world where her beautiful character shines through like a beacon of hope to so many. Michelle truly is a legend!