How was Michelle Kwan selected to become an Olympian?

Answer 1

U.S. Figure Skating, the governing body for figure skating in the United States, nominates the athletes they believe should compete in the Olympics. The United States Olympic Committee then acts on those nominations and selects the athletes to represent the U.S. in the Winter Games. Almost always, the United States Olympic Committee selects those that were nominated by U.S. Figure Skating.

Michelle won the U.S. Figure Skating Championship in 1998 and 2002, along with many other championships around the world, and the governing body (U.S. Figure Skating) nominated her to represent the U.S. at those Olympics. The United States Olympic Committee concurred and she was placed on the team.