Michelle teaches an orphan to skate

On her fourth trip as an U.S. Department of State American Public Diplomacy Envoy, figure skating champion Michelle Kwan traveled to Ukraine. From February 28 - March 7, 2009, she visited the cities of Kyiv, Yalta, Sevastopol, Bakhchisarai, and Odessa, where she interacted with high school and university students, gave skating clinics, and visited an orphanage and a school for abused children. In Kyiv, Michelle visited Kyiv Specialized English Language immersion School #155, where students were overjoyed to meet her, and eager to greet to her. At the National Pedagogic Dragomanov University’s Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Michelle spoke with students about how sports brings people together in athletic competition across divisions of race, religion, and politics. In Yalta, Michelle visited the Crimean University of the Humanities’ Special Department for the Disabled where she met with students with disabilities, including several Para-Olympians, and encouraged them to continue to strive for success through athletics. In Sevastopol, she joined students at Sevastopol Secondary School #3, one of the oldest schools in Crimea, who were studying English through a program funded by the U.S. Embassy. Finally, in Odessa, she went to Odessa Figure Skating School of Olympian Reserve, the home rink of Ukrainian Olympic stars Oksana Baiul and Viktor Petrenko, where she conducted a master class to twenty 10-14 year old skaters. One her final stop in Odessa, she met with Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) alumni who are working with the owners of a brand new ice skating rink to hold skating parties for orphans in the region.

Michelle’s visit received extensive print and electronic media coverage at each stop. In addition to interviews, Michelle appeared on Novyi Kanal morning show Pidyom (Wake Up), one of the most popular television shows in Ukraine. She also did an interview with Natalie, one of the oldest and most widely read Ukrainian women’s magazines.