Michelle Kwan to Russia as U.S. envoy

WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- Figure skater Michelle Kwan will be working to win over Russians on behalf of the U.S. government.

The U.S. State Department said Tuesday that the Olympic athlete will be touring Moscow, Volgograd, and Elista as its American public diplomacy envoy.

Kwan will be promoting the United States to Russian youths by sharing her life story with them; she will also help commemorate the 200th anniversary of U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations being celebrated this year.

This is Kwan's second turn as a State envoy, as she served in a similar capacity to China at the beginning of this year. She will leave for Russia Wednesday.