Results tagged “emilyhughes”

You spend years training for the Olympics and then when things don’t go your way people who have probably never laced on skates ridicule you. Such is the life of an Olympic skater. Sasha Cohen wasn’t her best yesterday, falling on her first two jumps, but she managed to recover and bring home a silver medal.

Sasha Cohen dazzled the judges with her outstanding short program. Cohen was flawless and took a .03 lead over Irina Slutskaya. 16-year old Kimmie Meissner was impressive in her Olympic debut skating fifth overall. Long Island’s Emily Hughes was solid, finishing seventh overall. Four years ago her sister, Sarah, came from fourth after the short program to win the gold passing both Cohen and Slutskaya, so expect a lot of hype before Thursday’s final.

It's the end of an Olympic era as an emotional Michelle Kwan has pulled out of the 2006 Winter Olympics because of injury. Kwan's withdrawal means that Long Island native (and sister of 2002 Gold Medal winner Sarah Hughes) Emily Hughes, will be heading to Italy as the alternate for the team. Doubting her ability to compete at 100%, Kwan said, "I respect the Olympics too much to compete and I don't feel I can be at my best.'' While some may question whether Kwan should have been there in the first place, Gothamist feels that withdrawing like this is a classy act by the two-time Olympic medalist.

Last night, the 2006 Olympic Games of Torino began with IOC President Jacques Rogge delivering a message for "peace, tolerance and brotherhood." The ceremony included disco music and a song from Luciano Pavarotti. The Olympic flame was lit by Stefania Belmondo, a two-time gold medal winner in cross-country, while the torch was carried into the stadium by legendary Italian skier Alberto Tomba.