When the ladies lace ‘em up in Vancouver this winter, Michelle Kwan will not be among them. The champion figure skater has decided to postpone her dreams of continued Olympic glory in favor of something more important: a master’s degree.

Instead of hitting the rink, Michelle will be hitting the books, as she will be pursuing a master’s degree in international affairs at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy of Tufts University. (Fun fact: Tufts’ sports teams are nicknamed the Jumbos.)

(Another fun fact: More Michelle photos after the jump.)

There was speculation that Kwan would be attempting a comeback at the 2010 Games. She hasn’t appeared in the Olympics since 2002, in Salt Lake City where she won a bronze medal. Michelle was scheduled to skate in the 2006 Game in Turin, but was forced to withdraw after suffering a hip injury.

So the 29-year-old Kwan may have likely represented the U.S. in Olympic competition for the last time. In honor of her skating service, please enjoy this pictorial:

(Click on the pics for larger versions.)

Then again, who says Kwan couldn’t give the Games another go? Dara Torres is in her 40s, and her Olympic fire is still burning bright. Besides, with her new degree, if Michelle doesn’t like the judges’ scoring, she can sue.