Ashley Wagner Makes US Olympics Team
There's Already Some Figure Skating Drama

This year's women's figure skating intrigue is nothing compared to 1994's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan saga, but it's looking like Team USA will still come in to Sochi under a cloud of controversy. At this weekend's US championships, American officials decided to put Ashley Wagner, 22, on the team, despite her fourth-place finish. That ended the Olympic dreams of Mirai Nagasu, 20, who had secured the bronze medal at the competition. It was a rare move, as a third-place finish traditionally secures a ticket to the Games.
Unlike other countries, US figure skating takes into account an athlete's entire body of work. That was good news for Ashley, a celebrated two-time US champion, since even she admitted her performance was less than stellar. She said, "When I look back on my career, this one horrible performance isn't what makes me the skater I am. That doesn't define me." Following her performance, she also tweeted, "I am so sorry. I let you all down." But after the announcement, Ashley, who barely missed the 2010 Games, wrote, "It's been a long 4 years to this point. I'm so proud and incredibly grateful that I'll be representing my country at the Olympics in Sochi!"
As for Mirai, she took the high road: "Though I may not agree with it, I have to respect the decision the federation made. And I'm grateful to everyone who has supported me and look forward to what comes next in my skating career." Gracie Gold, 18, who won gold at the US championships, and 15-year-old Polina Edmunds, who took silver, round out the team. You can watch Ashley's and Mirai's performances below.







