Winter Olympic dreams rekindled for figure skating princesses, while queens confront injuries

October 12, 4:02 PMOlympics ExaminerTom Burke

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  U.S. Figure Skaters Focused on Vancouver            (Courtesy of Olympic Proportions)

The Olympic flames are now burning bright for a bevy of young women figure skaters. The chances of landing the coveted two spots on the United States 2010 Vancouver Olympics team have recently jumped for Allisa Czisny, Rachel Flatt, Caroline Zhang, and Ashley Wagner.

Veterans Kimmie Meissner and Sasha Cohen, who finished among the top in the world at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, have pulled-out late last week from prestigious Grand Prix Figure Skating events. Meissner because of a dislocation and tendonitis in her right knee, and Cohen due to tendonitis in her right calf.

Meissner’s chances of earning an Olympics berth are dismal, due to the severity of her injuries. In a recent Baltimore Sun interview, she stated that practicing flips and lutzes caused her great pain, and “For the United States to be represented properly, especially in an Olympic year, I feel I must put my personal desire to compete aside.”

Certainly, she deserves sympathy and respect - for this injury has possibly ended her stellar career in which she has steadily competed in recent years to return to the Olympics

In contrast, widespread suspicion clouds Cohen’s October 9th formal statement “I have been advised to limit my training for the next few weeks” – an explanation that appears to be a cover-up for a more truthful reason.

Unlike Meissner’s workmanlike regimen between Olympic Games, Cohen just returned out of retirement on May 6 – much to the surprise of many, including the young starlets. And the juggling of: physical training, the mastering of difficult routines, and the acclimation to new figure skating rules is nearly insurmountable.

Therefore, many consider Cohen’s detached announcement as a reflection of her lack of preparedness in facing the world’s best. When I questioned her at a recent press conference about these ambitious plans to return to the Winter Olympics, she said,   “I feel more like a turtle, than a rabbit. I’m taking it one day at a time.” Not quite the words of an Olympic silver medalist who should have all the confidence in the world.

Improved Chances for Young Ladies

So, with these recent withdrawals, the prospect of earning an Olympic team spot for the young American skaters is much brighter. Coming out of the 2008-2009 winter season, Csizny, Flatt, Zhang, and Wagner (1st – 4th finishes, respectively, at the January U.S. Championships) all had high hopes for Vancouver. Then, Cohen’s and Meissner’s unexpected re-entry into the mix caused alarm over the summer, with the four younger women (three of whom are high-schoolers) rethinking their plans.

Now, each of them likely has renewed energy, with their goals more attainable. When asked about her Olympic quest at a recent U.S. Olympic Committee press conference, Wagner said, “I just need to push that much harder.”

For more info:  Fellow Examiner offers additional insight on Cohen's withdrawal.