Michelle Kwan and Sarah Hughes have won a number of Olympic ice-skating medals between them, but this time around they won something else that possibly makes them just as happy.
Kwan earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies with a minor in political science from the University of Denver. “I am so excited,” the five-time world champion told DU Today, a University of Denver publication.
She is now admitted to the international affairs program at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, where she expects to continue her work as an envoy for the state department. “It was difficult to travel and go to school, but it was so enjoyable visiting other countries,” she said.
At the moment, she’s training for a possible comeback to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team competing in Vancouver in 2010. “I’m going to get in good shape and make my decision from there,” Kwan said.
On the other hand, Hughes collected a bachelor’s degree in American studies with a concentration in U.S. politics and communities from Yale University. “I want to do some skating and then go to law school in three years,” she says. “I’m enjoying it and I’m going to see where it takes me.”
Hughes is also thinking of writing a motivational book and continuing charity work in the New York area.
She is looking forward to her old rivals making a comeback. “Those girls aren’t fooling around,” she says. “It’s pretty exciting and I want to see what happens.”
