Kwan in US squad without touching ice
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-01-18 06:59

Cohen automatically got a spot as the national champion.

Emily Hughes

"It's a hard decision for whoever has to make it. I hope the best decision is made," Cohen said before the decision was announced. "I know they worked hard all year, and it would be nice for them to go since they earned their spots."

But Kwan has earned another shot at that elusive gold medal, too. Though she has skated sparingly over the last few years and was fourth at the world championships in March, she has been the face of figure skating for the last decade.

And while she may not be the same skater who went to Nagano and Salt Lake City as the gold-medal favourite, she remains a contender. Even though she finished fourth at worlds, only Cohen has higher scores under the sport's new judging system. Hughes' best finish at an international event was a bronze medal at last year's junior worlds.

The committee also had a report from a doctor, who examined Kwan on Thursday. The Olympic silver and bronze medallist jumped Friday for the first time since December 17.

Cohen did not need any help from the selection. She earned it all on her own with her very first national title. She finished with 199.18 points, more than 28 points ahead of second place Meissner.

"I've got a lot of silvers in different shoeboxes in storage units all over the place. But I think the gold one will have a special place," said Cohen, who could not take her eyes off the medal during the awards ceremony.