Sasha Cohen Ready to Take on the World
by Lindsay DeWall |
| Sasha Cohen at her first Olympic practice session Photo by Yuri Kadobnov(AFP/Getty Images Sport) |
2006 Olympic Winter Games Photos, News and Blogs
(2/12/06) - 2006 U.S. champion Sasha Cohen met with the press Sunday morning in Torino, Italy, one day after arriving in the city for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Cohen, a two-time World silver medalist, is a favorite leading into the ladies competition, which begins at the Palavela on Feb. 21.
I always expect the best of myself, Cohen said of her expectations of the competition. That gives me the best platform to perform at my potential. I've been working really hard with the mental career, especially the past four years. Hard work pays off. I'm proud of myself personally, and the huge accomplishments and improvements every year.
These Olympics mark Cohen's second. In 2002 she finished fourth. She has won four silver medals at the U.S. Championships, and won her first title at the 2006 event in January, despite battling the flu.
I'm definitely feeling great now, she said. I was proud of myself at nationals to be able to come through, skate well, finish with a strong program, without having practiced at all that week. It showed me how much I had in me and that I'm stronger than I think I am. That gives me a lot of confidence. I've trained really hard all year, and I hope to finish up a strong season.
Following the press conference Cohen practiced at the Palavela in the afternoon session.
Cohen also fielded questions at the press conference regarding the withdrawal of Michelle Kwan due to an injury that was announced earlier in the morning.
I think in a way it (Michelle's withdrawal) kind of humanizes the sport, Cohen said. She is someone who has been an icon, always been there, and she always has competed and done well. To see that people can be at the top of a sport and still have hard times just humanizes it for other athletes to know that there are good times and there are bad times. You have to deal with what life gives you.
