Michelle Kwan Ad Dropped By Coke

Michelle Kwan's withdrawal this weekend from the Winter Olympics has also impacted her spokesperson status.

She was signed to endorse Coke in two television spots, but following her announcement on Sunday, the soft drink company has decided not to use one of those spots. In the ad, Kwan is not actually seen, but has fans rooting for her to win at the Olympics.

Susan McDermott, a spokewoman for Coca-Cola, Co., said in a statement, "Given that it's cheering her on to win, hopefully, and she is not competing, we didn't think the ad was still relevant."

She also stated that the company will substitute ads featuring other athletes in place of the Kwan spots.

They will also keep the second ad, which features both Kwan and speed skater Apolo Ohno, and an announcer voicing, "Without ice, Apolo Anton Ohno would be a speed-swimmer, Michelle Kwan would be a water-skater, and our Cokes would be warm."

Visa USA, however, says they will go ahead with advertising featuring Kwan skating and the tag line, "life takes poetry."

Following her withdrawal, NBC Sports made an offer for her to join their Olympic broadcasting team as a commentator, but she declined, saying she didn't want to be a distraction to the remaining members of the U.S. figure skating team. I imagine it would have also been hard for her to stay and watch Emily Hughes skate in her place.

To find out more about Michelle Kwan, please visit www.usfigureskating.org/AthleteBio.asp?id=2267.

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