American figure skater Michelle Kwan has pulled out of the Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy, dashing the superstar's hopes to win the one prize that has eluded her over a long and prestigious career - an Olympic gold medal.
Kwan withdrew from the games early Sunday due to a hip muscle injury and recurring groin strain. Kwan says taking herself off the team is the most difficult decision she has ever had to make.
The 25-year-old California native received a bye onto the Olympic team after missing the U.S. championships because of the groin injury.
Kwan has five world championships, nine U.S. titles, and silver and bronze Olympic medals.
Medals will be awarded in eight Olympic events Sunday, including the highly anticipated men's Alpine skiing downhill race.
Norway leads the overall medal count with four, followed by Germany with two.