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Five-time world champion Michelle Kwan will get a chance to pursue Olympic gold in Turin after a US Figure Skating panel confirmed her fitness at a demonstration on Friday.
Bob Horen, chairman of US Figure Skating's international committee, confirmed the decision after Kwan, who skipped the US national championships because of a groin injury, completed both her short and long programmes for the USFSA monitors.
"Not every element was performed perfectly, but they had a high level," Horen said. "The only fall was on a double axel. And right after the programme she got up and did two double axels immediately."
Kwan also completed four clean triple jumps, Horen said.
Although the US championships are the selection meet for the Olympics, only the winner is guaranteed a ticket to the Games.
When she withdrew from nationals, Kwan petitioned the USFSA to be considered for the Turin Games and that request was granted.
The three US women's team places therefore went to US champion Sasha Cohen, runner-up Kimmie Meissner and Kwan, with US bronze medallist Emily Hughes relegated to alternate's status.
A nine-time US champion, Kwan is seeking one last chance at obtaining the one major title that has eluded her throughout her brilliant career - an Olympic gold medal.
An Olympic silver medalist in 1998 and a bronze medalist in 2002, Kwan has been plagued by injuries most of the season. She missed the start of the competitive season with a hip injury, which kept her off the Grand Prix circuit. More recently, she has struggled with the groin injury.
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AFP 272351 GMT 01 06
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