Plushenko fit to go for record
Print Edition
Figure skating superstar Yevgeny Plushenko will compete in the individual men’s event at the Winter Olympics, Russian federation president Alexander Gorshkov confirmed yesterday.
There had been reports the 31-year-old veteran could pull out on medical grounds after complaining of back pain after helping Russia to its first gold of the Games in the new team event.
It was the second Olympic gold for Plushenko, 31, winner of the men’s gold in 2006 and a two-time silver medalist in 2002 and 2010.
Another medal would put him ahead of Swede Gillis Grafstroem as the most medaled man in Olympic figure skating.
Grafstroem won four figure skating medals — three gold — between 1920 and 1932.
After winning the free program on Sunday night, the three-time world champion admitted to having had back pains during the routine. He underwent surgery on his spine last year.
“Plushenko really did feel a slight pain in his spine during the free program, but he has time to recover,” Gorshkov told R-Sport. “I hope the doctors will fix everything. As was the plan, Plushenko will perform in the individual Olympic competition.”
The deadline for replacing injured skaters passed yesterday.
The men’s short program is on Thursday with their free program in Friday.
As Russia have only one men’s berth in Sochi the possibility of substituting Plushenko had been a contentious issue and would only have been allowed on medical grounds.
The skater himself had suggested after finishing second at the nationals behind Maxim Kovtum, 18, he might withdraw after the team event to allow youth a chance to win a medal.
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