NAGANO, Japan -- Counting their blessings in Olympic gold and silver, Tara Lipinski and Michelle Kwan will soon probably be two very rich teen-agers.

As the winner of the women's figure skating gold medal, Lipinski immediately becomes one of the most attractive commodities in the sports business. One agent estimated an Olympic title would be worth about $13 million to her.

Even her silver-medal finish in Nagano will earn Michelle Kwan millions. (AP)

EVEN KWAN'S SILVER MEDAL CAN BE WORTH a lot, as American Nancy Kerrigan found out after placing second at Lillehammer four years ago.

Michael Rosenberg, a prominent agent/promoter in the sport, thinks America already has fallen in love with both Kwan and Lipinski.

"They are very different, but they also both are champions and very tough and very lovely to watch," Rosenberg said. Even without a 1-2 finish, he said before tonight's program, "they will be very big stars for many years to come."

On the ice, Kwan's future seems less certain than Lipinski's. After all, Lipinski is considered the United States' best shot for gold in 2002, when she will be all of 19. She is expected to remain in the Olympic-eligible ranks and probably will collect a podium full of titles before Salt Lake City - not to mention the lucrative prize money available these days even to non-professionals.

BUT KWAN MIGHT DECIDE TO TURN PRO after next month's world championships, though she says she hasn't thought about it.

The International Skating Union is exploring setting up its own lucrative tour to keep skaters from turning pro. Kwan and Lipinski are two of the showpieces whom ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta is eager to keep.

"Whatever they do," Rosenberg said, "they will be very successful.''

And very wealthy.