It must have been very disappointing when the Olympic committee decided to give Michelle Kwan a place on the U.S. team after you had skated so beautifully in the national competition and yet you handled that setback with grace and maturity.

It could have been upsetting to get the word that you would be on the team at the 11th hour with less time to make final preparations, but you rose to the occasion with great spirit and excitement.

It might be troubling to be compared to your sister at every turn, but your love for her and your belief in your own individuality outshone any efforts to put you in a box.

It must be unnerving to be up against world contenders when you had no experience in an international competition, but your plucky, full of fun attitude made your knuckle-biting fans relax and enjoy the show.

It must have been an unimaginable feeling of distress when you took a fall near the beginning of your long program, but somehow you did not allow the spill to defeat you.

Your joyful, exuberant skating with your strong lifts, wonderful whirling turns in midair and clean landings seemed effortless. You were thrilling to watch.

We are so proud of you! Four more years may bring you more experience, more polish, more trophies, but besides your talent, it is your character and the values of your family that you have embraced that make you a winner to us, here, today.

- Carol Frank