Michelle Kwan skates to Fields of Gold @ Salt Lake City 2002 | Music Monday

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Enjoy this look back at the iconic American figure skater, Michelle Kwan, as she performs to Eva Cassidy's rendition of Sting's hit song, Fields of Gold at the Winter Olympic Games 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Enjoy!
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[@insaelliott1318]

It says a lot that few people remember the performance of her competitors, whatever medal they had, but everyone remembers watching Michelle Kwan because of how she made us feel. The love that was in her heart for skating, for the moment, for her audience was so evident which is why more than twenty years later, tears still stream down my face watching her skate. Thank you, Michelle, for this great gift.

[@Lmeg723]

I remember feeling so heartbroken for her when she didn’t win gold again. Ugh. I cried like a baby during this performance. She’s still my favorite figure skater of all time. Pure elegance. There’s no like her!

[@jaygrey1212]

Totally agree. Girl was robbed.

[@DepechedMartine]

me too... it was so sad, because she was really great skater :(

[@OctPSfever]

She has too much admiration of Olympics since age at 13. The pressure to be perfect was just too much every Olympics so she tried to escape from the moments subconsiously. Regardless she is a true Gold champion to me. Her elegance is just beyond words.

[@TheCandiceWang]

That's what I was gonna say!

[@suzanneramirez4735]

Mee too omg!!

[@uncchristine99]

I remember watching this on TV with tears streaming down my face. I heard her say in interviews later-not remembering when in the program she started crying. I’ve never before and never again seen such heart on the ice. This is why she is loved by so many.

[@tinadoyle237]

uncchristine99 i was ugly crying 😭 I love her so much!!

[@DawnDavidson]

Yes. Having just watched the “women’s” performances at the 2022 games, this is such a stark contrast. Michelle was and is such an artist on ice. No comparison. None.

[@osmondtan68]

@@tinadoyle237 r

[@kathleenstanley6751]

The tears made me *gulp* back then and hold my hand over my mouth with an "oh!". I have the same feelings now. We're all so lucky to have this recorded for all time.

[@slyph63]

That song can make the hardest of hearts break and cry

[@jm7804]

I haven't seen this since the night it aired almost 20 years ago. What a beautiful performance. Every hand movement, pointing of the toe, spin, and edge change with deliberate purpose. Now the ladies do triple axels, quads, triple/triple/triple combos, but there will never be another one like Michele. Never

[@nancyaiken4538]

I also hadn’t seen this for 20 years. She really piquet my interest in figure skating. So beautiful and so talented. She skates like she is a part of the ice.

[@lindatalledo8962]

Totally agree with everything you said!

[@Laurarkeppel]

Her performance reflects the true "art" of "figure skating".....not all the wild spinning and twisting in the air, which now becomes in my mind.....was the a quad or a 5 rotation jump???? We need more of the graceful Peggy Fleming and Janet Lynn styles to come back!

[@kimberlytramel8766]

She was robbed of her gold medal, she deserved it, it still upsets to this day!!!

[@joebleasdale5557]

Eva Cassidy’s timelessly ethereal voice and Michelle Kwan’s ethereal skating. Makes me want to cry, it’s so perfect.

[@berniegriffin6423]

Was wondering if anyone else knew Eva Cassidy’s beautiful cover of this song. Hello there , you are a person with great taste!

[@kjirstinyoungberg7794]

This was the first time and first recording I ever heard of Eva Cassidy. I had to find her as soon as her skate ended, and now I am obsessed with everything Eva Cassidy ever sang, but particularly Autumn Leaves. I love jazz, and Eva's interpretation of all the songs she ever sang. I always wanted to thank Michelle for introducing her to me, and the world, on that perfect stage.

[@TheStarflight41]

It's called figure skating... not gymnastics. If there is little in the way of beauty and emotion than unhealthy quads are useless. This was her gold medal moment. Her tears, as it turns out are contagious, aren't they? Sublime.

[@theresa8879]

The combination of Eva Cassidy singing and Michelle Kwan skating is beyond beautiful!!!

[@Qacc6]

The most moving Olympic figure skating exhibition performance of all time.

[@margotd8190]

100% agree

[@codyferrell1896]

Doubt u read this... but if so - do you consider this her best performance of all time?

[@barbarapakalania6712]

Definitely

[@yoojin3877]

@@codyferrell1896 I'm not the original commenter, but it's near the very top for me along with East of Eden at the 1998 World Pros, Song of the Black Swan at 2001 Worlds, Lyra Angelica at 1998 Nationals, and The Red Violin exhibition at Worlds. She had so many, though.

[@1ness]

One of the iconic moments in sports. Just sublime. Probably millions of people had tears watching that skate. They come back again for me every time I watch I it. Michelle Kwan is one of the most graceful athletes of all time!

[@alphabetacanton]

Only someone with a heart like Michelle could channel all her disappointment and sadness into a performance and turn it into pure gold that not only sparkles and inspires, but also has the last word in grace, acceptance, courage, and a generous spirit.

[@jonny8790]

She is so strong. Having grown up watching her skate I don't think I was able to move on from her Olympic disappointments until I met her in 2016. She was completely removed from skating that it brought a peace and acceptance of what had come before. Life goes on, and she continues to inspire.

[@morgantaylor517]

Her not winning gold broke my heart, first she was too young, then she fell but her last Olympics I just KNEW would be hers and then that little Lipinsky won and promptly retired setting a trend that continues to today and I don't like it. You have to watch pairs skating or ice dancing for any continuety of performers.

[@flywings111]

@@morgantaylor517 Men's too, actually.

[@TheCandiceWang]

@@morgantaylor517 so true. It's so unfortunate. No long term careers. Michelle Kwan SET THE TONE for soooooo many years!

[@TT-ee4qp]

@@TheCandiceWang Michelle never gave up, she won 5 world medals and 9 US titles, she became a truly Olympics winner .

[@jannmutube]

--- > Her contribution will endure.

[@amazingabby25]

This program makes me cry every single time. No program has ever hit my soul harder.

[@Olympics]

Us too! 😭

[@ChristineTheHippie]

It's so bittersweet 😪.

[@TheCandiceWang]

@@Olympics Just goes to show that not all athletes of gold have to win gold at the Olympics to truly be golden people! 😭 I remember this night with tears 😭🥰 my mom is in hospital from 2 strokes. She watched this this night. Thank u for uploading. I think I'm going to show this to Mama to see if it can help her 🤎⛸️❄️

[@yoojin3877]

@@TheCandiceWang I hope your mother is doing better!

[@nancyaiken4538]

She deserved a 100 gold metals. Beautiful person, beautiful skater.

[@kendane2001]

I wonder what She would say with all that is happening in ladies figure skating now.

[@tennisgeek100]

thank you to all who posted about how beautiful, and graceful Michelle is. "Success isn't always measured by a gold medal." Everyone now is winning on the technical aspect of skating.

[@thesupremediva]

You can win a gold medal. You have to EARN the kind of legacy Kwan has.

[@kimberlieverschoor3814]

This still brings tears to my eyes after all of these years! She should have had the gold! She will always be my all time favorite! Such pure elegance and grace! Her skates never made a sound! I hope she is doing well! I sure miss this style of skating! There is no beauty in today’s skaters!

[@extremeprogress]

She is doing well. She just had her first baby a few weeks prior to the start of the olympic games: a beautiful baby girl.

[@jannmutube]

Amazing artistry...truly a gold medal performance.

[@andreagemes1829]

Gives me tears every time. Simply beautiful.

[@gfr120]

Perfection. It’s been 22 years and this is the most captivating, most special four minutes of figure skating that we will likely ever witness. Nothing has ever come close. She is so unhurried, so connected with every note of the music. As another commenter put it, every single movement is deliberate and purposeful. Details like the arm extension at 3:25 exemplify this. Individual elements are wonderfully executed- the split jump, the Charlotte, the Ina Bauer, the hydroblade-all of it. The music, Eva Cassidy’s ethereal voice….just achingly beautiful. Perhaps most remarkable is that this takes place against the backdrop of the narrative of this Olympics. Here is a determined athlete, long dominant in her field, pursuing what she hoped would be the pinnacle achievement of her incredibly successful career. And yet, on home ice in front of thousands of fans, it once again slipped through her fingers. But rather than carrying a shred of bitterness or disappointment, Michelle displays only grace and gratitude. She is truly free here, and it mesmerizes to this day.

[@SDoesNotKnow]

I think it was this moment when she transcended the Olympics. What I mean is that her career and legacy wouldn't be defined by it.

[@theprinceoftides6836]

She doesn't need that medal. Olympic gold is forever tainted by the simple fact her name is not on it.

[@morgantaylor517]

She defines figure skating for me. I grew up with her and always felt she was robbed of an Olympic gold.

[@TheCandiceWang]

So true 🤎😭💔

[@sheelfjohnson]

Michelle Kwan and Jason Brown: two skaters who never won a gold medal, but the two skaters I most enjoy watching. I hope they appreciate how much they have given to their fans.

[@alphabetacanton]

Never saw anything so utterly divine on ice. Michelle poured her heart and soul into the performance and created an experience few of us could ever forget.

[@sandracomastra1857]

A true champion in a class of her own. She brought so much joy to so many….there will never be another skater like her.,

[@Evilene52]

I will always treasure that I got to see Michelle Kwan skate live from 1997 - 2005. Watching on TV versus seeing her live cannot be compared. It was truly like she was handing you her heart when she skated. I'm getting choked up as I type remembering all of those performances and how she carried US Figure Skating on her tiny shoulders. The amount of pressure she faced from the governing body, media and fans and how she always continued to skate with grace and heart.

[@TheCandiceWang]

😭🤎🌾🏵️

[@sweetnsourify]

Well said ❤

[@np1056]

I remember watching this with my dad, and I had tears streaming down my face. I looked over and he was wiping away tears as well. She is such a beautiful, emotive performer.

[@theprinceoftides6836]

Truth. There R athletes that we will remember forever, and she is one of them. There's plenty of Olympic gold medallist, but there's only one Michelle Kwan.

[@tracyneal1438]

Michelle Kwan is a national treasure. Regardless of not winning gold, she personified what the U.S. exemplifies. Congrats always to Tara and Sarah; Michelle captured America's heart. Beloved.

[@TheCandiceWang]

Perfectly said!

[@patriciameyer8798]

I'm here to see Michelle skate to Eva Cassidy's beautiful version of "Fields of Gold".

[@robertmorris5055]

With all deference to Michelle Kwan, whom I love, the song by Eva Cassidy introduced me to one of the great singers of the 20th century. Within 30 minutes of watching this I was mesmerized by her story, and then saddened unbelievably learning that she had died at age 33 in 1996. The voice of an angel. You are sorely missed.😞

[@TheCandiceWang]

Glad you know of Eva. Every time someone uses her rendition of FOG, they are using it after she passed away, iirc. I said it elsewhere, I feel like it's a loving tribute to Eva, to use this. This breaks my heart in every kind of way. From Michelle to Eva 💔♥️🤎

[@stevetaylor2986]

They just dedicated a mural to Eva Cassidy in Annapolis MD, where she used to perform in many of the local bars

[@chefrobert987]

I've often said after discovering her in '98 along with a handful of people, this skate brought more people to Eva in 4minutes than all the preceeding yrs. combined.

[@KyleS.1987]

Remarkable artistry and athleticism. Paired with the incredible voice of Eva Cassidy, it's just pure magic.

[@karabuller]

I remember back in 2002 my mom, a huge figure skating fan and with whom I had a difficult relationship, telling me she wanted to stitch a quilt for Michelle Kwan, depicting the song Fields of Gold, after she skated to the song. I thought it was the most bonkers thing I heard and rolled my eyes. Twenty years later my mom has Alzheimers and I've decided to learn to ice skate, and that it was time I looked up the Kwan FOG performance. Ummmm - gonna need some Kleenex. Thank you Michelle. 🥰

[@kikilee3241]

One of the most moving and bittersweet performances ever.

[@LaurenThompsonPiano]

It's sp sad to me that some skaters never got their Olympic gold medal. Michelle Kwan, Mao Asada, Sasha Cohen, are three that come to mind. Not that their competitor that won the gold didn't deserve it, I just wish those three could have too. It's really quite sad to me. They were really special skaters.

[@TheLkell00]

Michelle Kwan will always be gold. Never a hair out of place, but hair mixed with tears flowing wildly at the end. Always her heart on her sleeve. Thank you, Michelle!

[@brunofttt]

This program never fails to pull at my heart. One of a kind - truly iconic. ♥️

[@Olympics]

Couldn't agree more!

[@roseannraupp6623]

Still gives me chills to watch Michelle's graceful, artistic and skillful performance. She put her heart and soul into her skating and it shines for all to see. There will never be another like her. Love 💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@savannahdockins7022]

The girls now may do more fantastic jumps, but none will ever match her elegance.

[@dinh5532]

This video should have way more views. My life is sorta chaptered by this performance, pre and post. It's when I felt my first heartbreak rooting for sports figure and the realization that your dreams don't always come true.

[@marylynnthalheimer3552]

I actually stopped watching ice skating after this performance by Michelle. I knew I would never again see such perfection

[@fay-amieaspen6046]

First time I've ever seen Miss Kwan. Wow ! This was so beautiful graceful effortless and perfect !!

[@beedeegee9374]

I cry every time I watch this. Every time. One of the most beautiful performances ever.

[@vmcdonald2064]

No one like her! I loved the way she would transport you with her skating! The greatest ever!

[@Slambam73]

She had a true gift, able to transport the audience out of this world.

[@victoriakirchner4371]

She matched this routine so perfectly to where the music and emotion went. Perfect pairing. I am shocked, and pleased to learn how many famous competitive figure skater have used Eva Cassidy performed songs. Primarily Fields of Gold, Imagine, Somewhere over the the Rainbow, Songbird.

[@cherylosborne8857]

I recorded her last performance and watched it over and over. I had the same reaction to it now as I did back then...tears.

[@tinadoyle237]

The ultimate American Figure Skater ❤️❤️

[@TheStarflight41]

Quads will never be enough, nor should they ever be if this sport is to be preserved whole. This is simply sublime.

[@FigureNastics]

I discovered MK in 1994 /95 after the Tonya/Nancy drama. I felt as if she was robbed of at least a bronze at 95 worlds so I followed all the ups and downs of her career after that. I followed MK and skating in general with such love and passion, my family was so over it at times. It wasn't until I was in my early 20s and MK had pulled out of the 2006 games that my parents started talking about what a legend she was. Of course, I was super bummed because that was legit her last shot at the gold. Skaters usually have just one "skate of a lifetime" but Michelle has had many of those moments. Looking back, the way she made us feel during those special skates is worth way more than the Olympic gold medal.

[@monaobryant9107]

She may not have won a gold metal, but in our mind and hearts 💕 she did, and I hope she felt the love we felt for her that would out weigh any metal. What an angel 😂

[@MYKroe]

Of all of Michelle Kwan's memorable routines in her storied competitive career, this exhibition skate is the one I remember the most. A classy and classic skater who will always be my favorite.

[@ns2110theonly]

The best girls of today, with their jumps, flips and tricks ..... can’t touch her toes. She’s in a whole other class.

[@susanlett9632]

I loved her!! Even though she never got a gold medal she is the greatest as far as I am concerned

[@sweetnsourify]

Same!!

[@marenasusinno4524]

Kwan The Swan. My very favorite female skater.

[@annecohen8927]

Beautifully accurate in the way to portray her! So graceful and powerful in form 🦢 She makes you immerse yourself into her beauty of figure skating.

[@DrJorge-xv6ev]

There will never be another Michelle. Just watch her hands. If you don't cry you don't have a heart.

[@alicedonahue6761]

There has never been a more graceful athlete....on or off the ice.

[@AT-jm4dl]

Best exhibition performance ever. Classic. I tear up every time at the end.

[@savannahdockins7022]

Love/loved watching her skate. No one today has her grace and artistic talent. They concentrate too much on jumps and speed.

[@raika7782]

The softness of an angel and the grace of a butterfly

[@margotd8190]

Beyond gorgeous! I come back to watch this performance when I'm feeling down. It's the embodiment of grace and beauty. So moving

[@patsymontana7670]

I’ve been watching the current Olympic Games. None of the ladies skating today can begin to compare with Michele Kwan. She has such artistry and grace. Her costumes were perfect. The jumps became more important than artistry. Jumps were her downfall. No pun intended. Now some of the ladies are doing quads. But they will never measure up to Michele Kwan. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@welthawood]

Agreed

[@kurumais]

how can human be so graceful?

[@JS-uz4ji]

Amongst the best this sport has seen, yes there are better jumpers, spinners, and skating skills before and after Kwan, but very few have the attention grabbing quality that she does.

[@nancyhilliard1634]

One of the most beautiful skaters ❤️

[@SuperWindhorse]

She has this amazing energy of joy and love!! how beautiful her smile is during the whole program. I literally had tears in my eyes, Unbelievable. Amazing performance!

[@tancIan1]

Michelle has accomplished so much more than figure skating but she will always be the gold standard. We didn’t need judges to tell us she was the gold medalist

[@alexiswashington3559]

My favorite Olympian of all time in any sport.

[@nancywhitaker7565]

Michele Kaun is the most graceful skater ever. She appears as if it is no effort. She is and will always be my all time favorite stalker next to Scott Hamilton. ❤❤❤

[@SonOfAGun1814]

ladies and gentlemen, 1998 and 2002 olympic gold medalist, Michelle Kwan!

[@designarchivestudio1358]

Still remember this program! LEGEND

[@QQTrick1QQ]

RIP Eva Cassidy you will always be missed 😥😥😥

[@TheCandiceWang]

😭🙏💐

[@Patricia599]

when I want to be reminded of what figure skating CAN be, I come back to this video. She should have won both Olympics but def this one. Her skating shows depth and maturity that was unmatched at the time. 🌹

[@cloverred6239]

The end of the year 2021 still watch this video.

[@TheStarflight41]

Sublime.

[@n.k.s74]

2024....She's still the best there ever was in my eyes.

[@18kurama]

I felt every bit of emotion in her touching performance! ❤️❤️❤️

[@taralanzerotti7391]

I still cry like a baby watching this. Such an exquisitely beautiful performance. But to have the mental and emotional fortitude to skate to a song with "gold" in the title, wearing a gold dress...after having the gold medal slip through your fingers...breaks my heart every time I watch this.

[@ChristineTheHippie]

There is so much bittersweet irony in this performance. Skating on home ice and it wasn't meant to be. Maybe one of the best skaters to win never win Olympic Gold.

[@gregklein547]

This is what gives hope for the existence of humanity. Beautiful

[@francisnguyen6349]

We love you, Michelle Kwan whoas her home crowd.

[@iveyg2993]

You were my gold medal winner, Michelle. The most beautiful rutine ever.

[@shermusic8361]

She is the best.. She is still the best. This program was intended to celebrate the gold and it eluded her once again, She is still the best.

[@SW-kq3eq]

No drug induced quad will ever be this difficult or this beautiful.

[@amazingabby25]

I know I’m going to get some hate for this, but no one had the grace and beauty Michelle did. Or the impact on the sport. Like Who remembers Sarah Hughes, tbh, I feel like Michelle was robbed in a way of her Gold twice. Not that Tara and Sarah didn’t deserve it, it was just that, it was at the time, all but her gold. It was like it was written it in stone, if anyone else who was old enough to remember in 1998-2002. It took so much bravery to do this routine. And honestly, I think of Michelle doing this, whenever things don’t work out in my life, that were suppose too. Michelle Kwan, my favorite athlete of all time.

[@amazingabby25]

Sue Randall Tara immediately retired after winning the gold. She went on tour and made good money. Now obviously she’s known for commentating. But she retired from the sport at 14.

[@tj205bama]

She wasn't robbed . She went in without a coach thinking she didn't need one . And look what happened.

[@Zanderthegrape]

Kwan is spectacular. No doubt about that. But Tara had a much complicated program and Kwan fell on a flip during the 2002 olympics. She never deserved an Olympic gold.

[@nancyk6726]

To me Michelle Kwan is still the most artistic figure skater of all time.

[@trevorlee9581]

Michelle was no doubt special, but Yuna Kim surpasses her. Even Michelle herself would agree.

[@cherrydelicious7839]

Michelle Kwan was one of the best

[@davidstock2713]

My grandmother thought michelle was stellar". All within media shows were secondary, when Michelle was present. Throw back judges didn't credit this girl with earned gold, my grandmother surely did. When hasn't Michelle placed a stellar performance. She impressed seniors, very difficult group to impress, due to many seniors have viewed multiple within Olympic hopefully. Centurys within evaluations. Michelle is extraordinary within her skills, plus look at her face, you can just see her happyness gratitude as a person. Very self-disciplined girl that is a legacy.

[@melrama6759]

By far the greatest figure skating performance I've ever seen. Oh so phenomenal.

[@ffic4life]

She was robbed. Her passion, her heart, her grace was left on this ice. Hands down one of the absolute best performances I’ve ever seen

[@icesk8mike]

Don't forget on a single fall on the triple flip she lost the gold medal

[@flywings111]

She wasn't robbed in 2002, she fell in her long program. In 1998 she could have won but judges preferred jumpers (like they do today as well)

[@essentielley]

She truly created a golden atmosphere with this. I could almost feel the warmth even as she's literally on a backdrop of ice. Magical.

[@TheStarflight41]

Well said.

[@stevenvalencia2003]

Take notes Russian girls. Its not about quads this is what skating is supposed to be like the complete package skater untouchable in my mind

[@AquaMarino]

Eva Cassidy!!!

[@ceceliamathews7190]

MK, Always a winner‼️Still❗️👍🍷💞🎉

[@musicmaker4him901]

Just beautiful!

[@neokokomoga2533]

This is a gift people keep it 👍

[@princeofdarknessxyz1]

the beauty of figure skating

[@exploreforyou5439]

Amazing program who loves the program give a like😍♥️♥️♥️👍

[@Olympics]

LIKE

[@user-hx7sq3cw2n]

Thank you Michelle.

[@sallygreenfield6991]

If Michelle had won in Nagano, we likely wouldn't have seen this performance. If she'd won in Salt Lake, we likely wouldn't have gotten Tosca 2004. I get that people admire gold medalists, and there are Tara fans and Sarah fans. But what makes Michelle a legend is that she didn't win a gold medal. Instead, she was THE standard by which everyone else was measured for nearly ten years. That's why she is remembered and so loved, and I'm not sure she would have that if she had won.

[@debbiecassier9212]

The absolute best ever

[@rosierubyjane]

she is so wonderful to watch 🥺 they just don’t make female skaters like her anymore. these days, skating is beginning to look more like ice jumping- no artistry, just jumps.

[@jyanneskye2535]

Kween 👑 Irreplacable in the world of figure skating.

[@poet2772]

Beautiful in all ways♥️♥️♥️

[@marymunn2250]

she is so graceful !

[@scook5599]

Now that is figure skating at it's best!