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Michelle Kwan will skip the 2006-07 season to focus on her studies at the University of Denver, the five-time world figure skating champion said on Wednesday.
Kwan, who also owns nine US ladies' titles, will take a year off the ice and attend university as a full-time student. However, the hugely popular skater will continue to perform in skating exhibitions, work on special projects and serve as a corporate spokesperson.
"Each year, since 2002, I have taken a one-year-at-a-time approach to my figure skating plans," Kwan said. "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, 26, previously attended the University of California at Los Angeles, earning one year's worth of credits which have been transferred to DU where she plans to major in political science with a minor in international studies.
In August, following the Champions on Ice tour, Kwan underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in her right hip, an injury she sustained during the 2004-2005 season.
She will be off the ice for approximately four months and is expected to make a full recovery.
Kwan missed most of last season due to a variety of injuries, but was selected for the 2006 US Olympic Team after a fitness test before a panel of US Figure Skating judges and officials.
However, a run at an elusive Olympic gold never happened as Kwan suffered a severe right groin strain in her first practice in Turin and withdrew when she determined that she would not be at full strength.
The most decorated figure skater in US history, Kwan has won an unprecedented 43 major titles, including five World Championships and nine US Championships, including eight in a row from 1998.
She won two Olympic medals, silver in 1998 and bronze in 2002 but her legacy seems destined to be partly marked by her lack of an Olympic title.
Her nine US titles tie her with Maribel Vinson for the most in US history. Kwan's streak of eight consecutive US titles and 12 consecutive US podium finishes (1994-2005) are both national records.
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AFP 062059 GMT 09 06
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