Michelle Kwan's magnificent figure skating career will end without an Olympic gold medal.
The Torrance native, a nine-time U.S. champion, five-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist, announced Friday she will not compete in the 2009-10 season. That means she won't be in Vancouver in February to try to add a gold medal to the silver she won in 1998 and the bronze she won in 2002.
In a statement released by U.S. Figure Skating, Kwan said she will attend graduate school full time at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and pursue a master's degree in international affairs. Kwan, 29, last competed in 2005. She got a medical bye onto the U.S. team for the Turin Olympics, but a hip injury led her to withdraw before the competition began.
"Skating will always be a part of me," Kwan said in the statement.
-- Helene Elliott
PRO BASKETBALL
Clippers waive backup guard Taylor
The Clippers waived guard Mike Taylor, after he mostly played a backup role last season to starting point guard Baron Davis.
That leaves the Clippers with three point guards, including Davis, Eric Gordon and recently acquired Sebastian Telfair.
Taylor averaged 5.7 points and 2.1 assists in 15.1 minutes a contest in 51 games and five starts.
-- Mark Medina
The Boston Celtics are requesting waivers on former USC guard Gabe Pruitt. . . . Tyler Hansbrough could miss up to two months because of a right shin injury, but the Indiana Pacers think their first-round draft pick will be healthy enough for the start of the season. . . . Forward Hakim Warrick has agreed to a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
PRO FOOTBALL
Seahawks release All-Pro guard Wahle
Two-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Mike Wahle has been released by the Seattle Seahawks before their first practice of training camp. Wahle was released after the team said he failed his physical.
Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman, the No. 17 overall pick, has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be given an opportunity to compete for the starting job. . . . The Detroit Lions signed tight end Brandon Pettigrew, a first-round pick, to a five-year contract. . . . First-round draft pick Andre Smith missed the Cincinnati Bengals' first practice of training camp in a contract holdout. . . . New York Jets running back Leon Washington reported to the team and participated in drills during the first practice of training camp.
