NAGANO, Japan -- A final decision won't come until after the next month's world championships in Minneapolis, but figure skating silver medalist Michelle Kwan sounds like she'll be sticking around for the next Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

"I'll

Michelle Kwan might be back for more in Salt Lake City. (AP)

see how it goes before I make any choices, but how could I be in the United States and not compete? I'd probably strangle myself," Kwan said Sunday (Saturday night ET). "I enjoy competing. The past year has been more fun because of that. Why quit competing if I enjoy it so much?"

THAT COULD SET UP an Olympic rematch against teammate Tara Lipinski, who overtook Kwan for the gold medal at the end of the free skate. Kwan would be 21 and Lipinski 19 for the 2002 Winter Games.

The gold-silver figure skating finish was part of a 13-medal haul for the United States, matching the country's best Winter Olympics performance, at Lillehammer in 1994.

Dick Schultz, executive director of the U.S. Olympic Committee, said it could have been more.

"We could have had 18 or 19 medals," he said. Sixty U.S. athletes finished in the top 10, topping the previous high of 41, he said.

"While we only equaled Lillehammer, look at the athletes who retired after Lillehammer," Schultz said. "We had a lot of vacant spots to fill. Most who won here will be returning. That's why I feel we have optimism for Salt Lake City. We'll be doing some things to make sure Salt Lake City is our best ever."

PAUL GEORGE, THE U.S. DELEGATION chief, said the team's performance showed great depth.

"We had eight fourths and five fifths," George said. "That means we were a fraction of a second or maybe one jump from a medal in many instances. I think we can win 20 medals in Salt Lake City."

George had predicted 18 medals in Nagano.

Schultz said the USOC was disappointed with the behavior of American hockey players, who trashed three apartments in the Olympic Village, causing an estimated $3,000 in damages.

"We're upset with the fact that a very few blemished the majority of the 196 athletes here," Schultz said. "We will deal with that.''

KWAN SAID HER RUNNER-UP FINISH was not what she expected after finishing her own program.

"When I got off the ice, I was so happy," she said. "I knew I did my best. That's all that counts. I'm fine with the silver. Life goes on. You move on and don't look back."

Kwan said she came away from the Olympic experience having learned some lessons.

"A lot of what I learned was about life," she said. "It doesn't always go your way. You have to stand tall and hold your head high and know you had nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Kwan said she would march in the closing ceremony. "The closing is sad in a way," she said. "You guys never look back. You never talk about Lillehammer. I can be happy with what I did. I have nothing to be ashamed of."