Michelle Kwan - from figure skater to public figure

It's been several years since Michelle Kwan left a big sport. Passions subsided, she engaged in public work, married, but her artistic and technical achievements gave a new impetus to the development of women's single skating.

Childhood and study

In a family of Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong in the city of Torrance, a suburb of Los Angeles in the State of California, a third child was born, the girl was Michelle Kwan. It was July 1980. At home they spoke a mixture of English and one of the dialects of Chinese. With a brother and sister at five, she first came to the rink, and gradually began training. But already when Michelle was at school, and she turned eight, the training was simply awful. We had to get up at three o'clock in the morning, roll out the necessary elements, go to school, and after classes - again the ice rink. Only the Chinese perseverance and sense of duty, soaked with the mother's milk, apparently helped to sustain such a young load on the young, fragile body. Two years later the fee for ice increased. The family did not have enough money for classes. But then came the financial help from the club of figure skaters of Los Angeles. Michelle Kwan continued to skate. But she grew up, and she did not have time to study at school. Therefore, she left her and began to study on her own. Then she entered the university, then transferred to another, studying international relations and political science. By this time, she graduated from a sports career, and therefore became a graduate student, continuing to deepen her knowledge in the field of international relations. After completing postgraduate studies, she received her doctorate.

First achievements in sport

At age 13, she receives gold at the World Junior Championships. At the World Championships in 1995, after a tense struggle, Michelle won 4th place. This served as a lesson for the girl, who began to pay more attention to technology and artistic performance. Its proprietary element was a spiral, during which she changed the ridge of the slip on the ridge. Here is this famous spiral Michelle Kwan. Photo shows the US championship in 2002. Great technical work affected the results in a year. At the championship in 1996, she won first place.

Competitions of 1998

The US Championship was a triumph for Michelle Kwan. The short program was performed with the music of S. Rachmaninov ("Concerto for piano No. 3" and "Elegical Trio No. 2"), and an arbitrary one - by V. Olvina. All the judges unanimously put the highest score. One of the judges was crying. But relatively recently the figure skater began to heal a broken leg. All in the same year, the Winter Olympics took place in Nagano. Michelle climbed to the second stage of the pedestal, receiving silver. From 1998 to 2005 inclusive, she did not lose a single US championship. In the same year, 1998, the World Cup was won.

World Championships

Having missed the year and since 2000, Michelle Kwan has won the world title three times. 2002 was missed because of a serious injury in the right hip. Only in 2006 it was treated, and for the first time in four years, Michelle skated without pain. In the 2006 - 2007 season, she did not take part in the competitions. She doubted whether she should take part in the 2009 Olympics in Vancouver. Also has decided, that will continue education.

Other activities

By this time, she had a large number of sponsorship contracts. She participated in television advertising of major American companies. And even became a representative of the Walt Disney Company. In 2005, she opened an ice rink for children in Artesia and wrote by this time an autobiographical book "The Heart of a Champion" and another one intended for children, entitled "What You Need to Become a Champion". She took part in the telecasts devoted to figure skating. I sounded cartoons. Finally, she starred in the film, which is dedicated to herself. And even became the heroine of a computer game.

In the US administration

For the first time she was invited to an official event in the White House in 2006 on the occasion of the arrival of the Chairman of the DPRK in the US. She attended the dinner of President Bush and the distinguished guest. In the same year, Michel was asked to become an ambassador of public diplomacy. This is how Michelle Kwan's life changes, whose biography is now connected with social activities. Traveling around the world, Michel propagandizes American values. The successor to Bush, Obama continues to support Michelle's work in this area. She has a lot of contacts with the vice-president, and with the secretary of state.

Personal life Michelle Kwan

32-year-old Democrat Clay Pell served in the US Coast Guard and worked in the White House, dealing with national security. It was at work that young people met. They were brought together by a community of interests. Both believe that they were lucky that they found each other. The couple met for about two years, and then decided to legitimize their relationship. They announced their engagement in September 2012. The engagement ring of Michelle was made of platinum in a vintage style. The initials of the couple were put on him. The bride's dress was designer, from Vera Wong. At the wedding there were about two hundred and fifty guests. The Coast Guard officers made an arch of sabers over the newlyweds. And many guests kept dazzlingly bright Bengal lights. The young were married in the church of the city of Providence on January 19, 2013.

Figure skater Michelle has the most awards in the history of America in this field of sports. Americans love and do not forget Michelle Kwan. The figure skater is also highly appreciated in China. They are proud of it.