Kim Yu-na, left, will skate with five-time world champion Michelle Kwan at the Ice All Stars 2009, from Aug. 14 to 16 in Seoul. / Korea Times File |
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Five-time world champion Michelle Kwan will join Kim Yu-na at Ice All Stars 2009.
IB Sports, Kim's agency, announced Thursday that the American star figure skater has confirmed her participation in the ice show, scheduled to take place from Aug. 14 to 16 in Seoul.
It will be Kwan's first action since she quit the sport due to a hip injury in 2006.
For her first visit to Korea, she has been preparing for two gala programs.
According to the agency, Kwan, a two-time Olympic medal winner, said that she is happy to skate in Kim's native country, Korea.
Kim, 18, was also delighted that Kwan would appear and said, ``Michelle Kwan has been an iconic figure since childhood. It is a big honor to perform together with her in Korea.''
The 28-year-old from Torrance, Calif. topped the World Championships on five occasions ― in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2003 and is tied with Carol Heiss of the United States for most titles in the women's event. She also pocketed a record-tying nine U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 1996, and from 1998 to 2005.
However, she was never able to add an Olympic gold medal to her brilliant career.
At the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998, she finished second, and claimed a bronze medal in the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002.
Speculation that Kwan, who is currently working as a figure skating commentator, will give it another shot at the Olympics in Vancouver next year has been rising.
Along with Kwan, the ice show boasts a decorated roster. American Evan Lysacek, Jeffrey Buttle of Canada and Switzerland's Stephane Lambiel, who have won each of the men's singles titles over the last four World Championships, will perform along with world silver medallist Joannie Rochette of Canada and Turin Olympic winner Shizuka Arakawa of Japan.
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr
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