Real men jump quads, says Plushenko

From Sportsbeat Staff, in Vancouver

EVGENI Plushenko served his rivals with a flawless warning in the Olympic figure skating men's short program - and then he baited them to lift their game.

JUDGE ME: Evgeni Plushenko waits for his marks after the short program in the Olympic men's skating skating - less than a point separates the top three (Getty Images)

Russian Plushenko will carry a slender advantage into Thursday's free skate, with American Evan Lysacek and Japan's Daisuke Takahashi just fractions behind.

But the three-time world champion is promising more big jumps, after he effortlessly landed a quadruple toe-loop to collectively bring the Pacific Coliseum crowd to their feet.

"It's not easy but a quad is a jump for a real man," he said.

But with so little splitting the top three, the formula of the medal mix remains up in the air.

Lysacek was an emotional wreck after his solid short program, perhaps remembering back to the mistakes he made in Turin four years ago, a night he still describes as ‘the worst of my life'.

"It really doesn't matter about whether I beat Evgeni or not - I am aiming for personal victory," he said.

"I know the guy really well. I have always admired his skills and I came up the ranks looking up to him but I'm skating my program.

"I have been staying calm all day. But I have to admit that there was real pressure. If Turin was the worst night, this was the best night of my life.

"I had to face not only the challenge of these Olympics but also the demons of four years ago.

"I had a monkey on my back and it felt like personal redemption. It was revenge for myself and that's why I got a little emotional."