CBS SportsLine wire reports
Oct. 15, 1998
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- U.S. and world figure skating champion Michelle Kwan was denied entry into Skate America by the International Skating Union on Thursday.
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Kwan, the three-time defending champion, did not originally apply to compete at the event in Detroit on Oct. 29-Nov. 1. But she changed her mind - only to be told by the ISU through the U.S. Figure Skating Association there was no place for her in the field.
KWAN ALREADY HAS APPEARED in some ISU open competitions. The USFSA has been pressured by the ISU, which sanctions events for Olympic-eligble skaters, to adhere to existing rules for participation in the Grand Prix series, which do not allow for Kwan to cross over from one series to the other.
Skate America is the first event in the Grand Prix.
"The USFSA exhausted all efforts with the ISU in an attempt to clear the way for Michelle's participation in Skate America," said USFSA president James Disbrow. "The USFSA is disappointed that the rules of the ISU have operated to prevent the reigning world champion and one of the most popular skaters in the world from competing in the USFSA's premier international event.
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Michelle Kwan might be back for more in Salt Lake City. (AP)
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KWAN WILL SKATE IN the U.S. Pro Championships on Saturday in San Jose, Calif., an event sanctioned by the ISU as an open competition. Beyond that, her plans include the World Professional Championships, which also carries ISU approval, and, she hopes, the national championships in Salt Lake City in February.
Appearing at Skate America was designed to help her prepare her short program and free skate for nationals.
"I'm very disappointed that I won't be allowed to compete in Skate America," Kwan said. "It is one of my favorite events and I was really looking forward to being there. But life goes on and I'm still working hard and preparing for a full year of skating competitions."