Where does Kristi Yamaguchi?

Why was Michelle Kwan so much more famous than Kristi Yamaguchi and Tara Lipinski?

• Kristi Yamaguchi won the Gold Medal at the Olympics, and some said that the fact that she didn't become very famous was that she was Asian-American. But Michelle Kwan got much more famous (albeit later), more so than even Tara Lipinski who beat her at the Olympics. This fame was established before Michelle Kwan's record-breaking professional career. What explains this? Is Michelle Kwan more attractive? More likeable? Has more "star power"?

• Answer:

  Michelle Kwan participated in 2 (almost 3) Olympic Games but never won a gold. Her narrative was close, but no cigar. Compounding this, she was often clearly the best women's figure skater in the world winning 5 Wold Championships. She is widely considered one of the greatest female figure skaters of all time. Kristi won her gold in Albertville in 1992. And shortly there after turned professional. She was America's sweetheart for one Olympic games (first to win the women's individual gold since Dorothy Hamill I believe). Michelle tried 3 times if you count 2006 where she withdrew due to injury. People within the skating community were really pulling for Michelle, because in figure skating the Olympic gold is the ultimate achievement in the sport, and as one of the greatest to ever skate, people felt she deserved it as much as anyone.