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Five-time world champion Michelle Kwan admitted Saturday that at the age of 25 her creaking body was struggling on the ice of the Palavela ahead of her assault on the women's Winter Olympic figure skating title.
The nine-time national champion was handed one of the three berths on the US team despite missing the national championships because of a groin injury.
But doubts about whether the Californian has the fitness to compete remain as visibly upset as she struggled through her first practice at the Olympic rink with the competition due to start on Tuesday, February 21.
The most decorated figure skater in US history looked a shadow of the girl who burst into the limelight with a world title at the age of 15 years as she walked through her elements.
She blamed stiffness after spending four hours at the Olympic stadium the previous night to experience the opening ceremony with the rest of the US team.
"I was a little stiff. Sitting outside for four hours was not good for my body. I didn't feel good. I came home and put heat packs on my body," she explained.
"The first day of practice is always nerve wracking. My coach isn't here today either so it's everything rolled into one. I'm probably going to do some therapy to loosen up, do some stretching."
With Emily Hughes, sister of 2002 winner Sarah, now occupying the alternate spot after Kwan was handed her place, she did not rule out withdrawing.
"Dropping out is not something I want to do but I have to listen to my body," she said.
"You have options in everything. Physically if I was not able to skate I would give my spot up."
Kwan, who was also troubled by a hip injury earlier this season, searched to remember the last time she landed a triple-triple.
"The last time I did a triple-triple?" she thinks.
"Last week I tried it," she said, shaking her head when asked whether she hand landed it.
Kwan is seeking one last chance at obtaining the one major title that has eluded her throughout her brilliant career - an Olympic gold.
She earned silver in 1998 and a bronze in 2002, but she faces even longer odds now.
Her last world title came in 2003, and she finished fourth at last year's world championships behind Russian Irina Slutskaya, who confirmed her status as the Olympic favorite by capturing her seventh European title this month.
Five months shy of 26 years, she has not been helped by the new system of judging brought in after the 2002 pairs scandal.
"I've done pretty well under the 6.0. I liked that system, but you have to evolve with the sport. It's like maths you have to add up the points, and there's interpretation as well. You have to be all round as a skater."
And while Slutskaya, 27, now gains extra marks for her trademark double Biellman, Kwan knows it's too late to add one to her programme.
"I say you're born a Biellman or not. Before when I was young I said "ah I can't do that".
"Now under the new system trying to yank your leg over your head isn't easy. I'm not 13 any more. Trying Biellman and new tricks is always a risky thing because your body is not used to it."
Kwan believes her years of experience will get her through and the beauty of her long programme - a prelude in C Sharp Minor Op. 18 by Rachmaninov
"Physically I'd like to practice more, to spend hours on the ice like I used to. But I'm limited with the amount of time I can spend on the ice with my injury," she said.
"I've been the underdog, the favourite, I've been in all sorts of positions before. The one thing it boils down to is going out there and skating."
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AFP 111428 GMT 02 06
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