Extracts from articles from Maclean's:

It is obvious what Kurt Browning's problem was last week. When he skated onto the ice of the Northern Lights Hall in Norway in search of an Olympic gold medal, his enemy was riding on his shoulders. His enemy was us. Here is a champion who works seriously at representing his country and who gave every sign that he felt he let the nation down. After two missed elements put him out of contention for a medal in the technical program, TV viewers at home could read his lips clearly when he mouthed the words: "I'm sorry."

Kurt Browning did not have to apologize. In his short 27 years, he has won the World Championship four times. Last week, he climbed from the depths to fifth place with a wonderful display of his artistry. As he himself observed last week: "I guess the Olympics are not my thing." And so what? We will always remember his grace and style on the ice, his unrestrained sense of team play and Canadianism off the ice. He is one of the great champions this company has produced.

... And figure skater Kurt Browning said that he is giving up the pressure cooker of amateur competition. "I feel great right now," Browning said before travelling to Miami for his first professional performance. "It's the right moment for me to move on." A four-time world champion, Browning was in 12th place at the Games after a fall during his technical program. But he made a courageous comeback, finishing fifth after a nearly flawless long program. Still, Browning never won an Olympic medal, despite three appearances at the Winter Games. to make up for that, a group of his fans in Nova Scotia has been collecting gold items to create a special medal of appreciation - providing at least some consolation to one of Canada's greatest champions.