Five-time world champion figure skater Michelle Kwan has performed at the University of Denver’s Ritchie Center. Now she can watch others perform there with a student discount.
Having undergone arthroscopic hip surgery last month to repair a torn labrum, Kwan has decided not to compete during the 2006-07 season and has enrolled at DU. The two-time Olympic medalist plans to major in political science with a minor in international studies.
Kwan, 26, has relocated to Denver and begins classes next Monday.
“Each year since 2002, I have taken a one-year-at-a-time approach to my figure-skating plans,” Kwan said in a statement released by U.S. Figure Skating. “Education is very important to me, and this year I have decided to put college first. Next year at this time, I will again evaluate all my options, including returning to competitive skating.”
Kwan’s agent, Shep Goldberg, said Kwan would be doing no media interviews for the time being, saying she prefers to focus on getting settled.
Kwan won a silver medal at the 1998 Olympics and a bronze in 2002. She went to the Turin Olympics but withdrew nine days before the women’s competition with a groin injury.
Kwan will continue to perform in skating exhibitions and could return to competition next year.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out,” Goldberg said. “If she knew now she wasn’t going to (return), she’d retire.”
DU officials were mum about their newest high-profile student.
“We respect her right to keep her private life on campus,” DU spokesman Jim Berscheidt said. “She does want privacy, and we respect that.”
Last spring, Kwan was rumored to be involved with Christian Anschutz, son of billionaire Phil Anschutz, and considering DU to continue her studies. Kwan has one year’s worth of credits at UCLA.
“She’s very interested in international studies,” Goldberg said. “The Christian Anschutz thing, I can’t comment on that. One reason she’s attending there is because of their excellent school of international studies.”
Staff writer John Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com.
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