Michelle Kwan's long-awaited return to the ice

America's most decorated skater is lacing up her skates once again.

No, 5-time World and 9-time National champion Michelle Kwan isn't returning to competition. She is, however, making her first on-ice appearance in front of a crowd in three years this weekend as she stars in Yu-Na Kim's "Ice All Stars" show in Korea. 2009 World champion Kim is arguably Korea's biggest superstar, and her ice show is bringing together some of skating's biggest talent: two-time World champs Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany, Olympic silver medalist Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland and reigning Olympic champ Shizuka Arakawa of Japan.

Kwan's programs ("Carmina Burana" and "Winter Song") are without a doubt the most anticipated, though. After being forced to withdraw from the 2006 Olympics due to a nagging hip injury, she underwent arthroscopic surgery and returned to the classroom to pursue a degree in international studies. Kwan earned her bachelors degree in June from Denver University and will attend graduate school at Tufts University this fall.

In essence, it appears as though Kwan's eligible career is over. She turned 29 last month and would be 33 by the time the 2014 Olympics roll around. Although I wouldn't put it past her to keep going that long, she has nothing left to prove (despite what her detractors might say). Kwan is the most decorated skater the United States has ever produced. With nine overall World medals (1996-2004) and 12 National medals (1994-2005, and the title holder from 1998-2005), it will be years -- if ever -- before her record is matched. Her two Olympic medals cement her status as one of the best ever.

It's only a matter of time before she is inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating, World Figure Skating, and U.S. Olympic halls of fame. She may not be in the Code of Points record books, but her spirit and influence on the figure skating world will last forever (not to mention her record 43 perfect 6.0's at Nationals).

Who will ever forget how she so stunningly silenced her critics and regained her National crown in 1998? Or how she came from behind to capture back-to-back World titles in 2000 and 2001? Or how she buried the competition in 2003 en route to her fifth World gold? These moments are forever etched into skating history.

She is the skater of our generation. Her staying-power, consistency and ability to triumph in the face of adversity are the things legends are made of.

Michelle Kwan is the gold standard for ladies figure skating; she will not be forgotten.