The last Winter Olympics were a whirlwind tour for Kimmie Meissner. 

She was the youngest member of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team, yet still finished sixth in women's figure skating.  From there, she went to the ESPY Awards, met her longtime hero, Lance Armstrong, and was nominated for "Best Breakthrough Athlete."  She was the grand marshal of two Independence Day parades. She taped a national TV commercial for Subway and grabbed endorsements with Visa and Under Armour. She led the seventh-inning stretch at a Major League Baseball game and threw out the first pitch at the Phillies' home opener.

So with the 2010 Winter Olympics closing in, Meissner has to be primed for Olympic gold and more accolades, right?  Not exactly.

Her meteoric rise has tailed off, and a knee injury has put her Olympic future in doubt.

Meissner bowed out of the 2009 Grand Prix in order to get her wonky knee healthy again in time for Vancouver.

"After much thought and consideration for what is best for the U.S. team and my career, it is with great regret that I have decided that I must withdraw from my assigned Grand Prix events," Meissner said at the time.

She injured the knee while training earlier in 2009 and was diagnosed with severe patellar tendonitis and a partially dislocated kneecap.  After undergoing physical therapy the problem remained -- not a good sign for the skater who should be counted on as a veteran presence in the Games.

She said she could do some of her jumps without pain, but the flip and the Lutz gave her trouble.  So she withdrew from the Grand Prix, realizing that the Olympics are where her focus should be.

"For the United States to be represented properly, especially during an Olympic year, I feel I must put my personal desire to compete aside," Meissner said.