2. Jed Drake, a senior vice president at
ESPN, recently commented on the different
factors that affect the popularity of various
sports. While some sports, such as football and
baseball, enjoy a relatively stable
audience, others fluctuate in popularity
depending on the competitors. According to Jed
Drake, figure skating falls into the latter
category; during the 1980s and 90s, its audience
expanded dramatically as viewers tuned in to
watch their favorite competitors perform. Figure
skating's popularity was enhanced during these
years by personalities like Michelle Kwan, who
still holds the sport's all-time record for perfect
scores.
3. Kwan is considered one of the greatest athletes in the
history of figure skating. From 1995 to 2005, she
won an unparalleled 43 championships, including two
Olympic medals. No other figure skater has achieved
this feat in the sport’s 100-year history.
During Kwan’s career, she gained national attention
for her graceful style and artistry. Overall, she
obtained 57 perfect scores. Honored for her
contributions to the sport, Kwan won the Sullivan
Award in 2001 and was named Sportswoman of the
Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee in 2003 and the
Women’s Sports Foundation in 1998.
