Plushenko's hopes over competing at Sochi 2014 appear over

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Posted: Monday 23rd August 2010 | 18:55

RUSSIA'S Evgeny Plushenko's hopes of reclaiming figure skating Olympic gold on home ice appear to be over after the International Skating Union confirmed he has failed to appeal his loss of eligibility.

RULED OUT: Evgeni Plushenko has not appealed his loss of eligibility and therefore looks set to miss chance to rid to reclaim is Olympic crown on home soil (Getty Images)

In June, the ISU announced that Plushenko, who captured gold at Turin 2006 but had to settle for silver at Vancouver 2010, lost his eligibility to compete in international competition after skating in exhibition shows without receiving prior permission from the Russian figure skating federation.

That would leave the 27-year-old unable to compete at ISU events including the Winter Olympics - the next of which will be held in Sochi in 2014 and the World Championships.

Plushenko, renowned for his fiery character, had three weeks to appeal the outcome but he has chosen not to and ISU director general Fredi Schmid has confirmed the decision is final.

"Further to the Decision of the ISU Council on the eligibility of Mr. Evgeny Plushenko the ISU informs that no appeal against this Decision has been filed within the 21 day deadline and that as a result the above Decision of the Council has become final," said Schmid in a statement.

"The ISU Members are obliged to take due notice of the ineligibility of Mr. Evgeny Plushenko for any ISU activity."

Plushenko withdrew from the World Championships in March, citing injury but he skated in two exhibitions the following week and contravened ISU rules in the process.

The ISU has specific rules designed to prevent skaters from using injury as an excuse to withdraw from major competitions, only to take part in shows or exhibitions for financial gain.

Skaters are allowed to perform in events not sanctioned by the ISU, but only if they've been given permission by their national federations.

Plushenko had already stated his desire to bid to reclaim the Olympic title, won by Evan Lysacek of the USA in Vancouver, in Sochi.

Comments

1. Plushenko did not appeal

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 14:34.

1. Plushenko did not appeal because he did not see the point of fighting the ISU when they so clearly wanted to ban him.

2. The ban DOES NOT cover Sochi. C'mon people, a four-year ban for simply skating in some shows? Dopers don't even get that long.

3. Plushenko can reapply for his eligibility through his skating federation at any time. He has already stated his intention to do so.

4. It's already been made clear that he'll be forced to sit out this season, and then be allowed back if he wishes to do so. And he clearly wishes to come back.

5. The Russian federation told him they would approve the shows. Then they didn't. The doctor told him he should not attempt a quad. So he pulled out of Worlds because a) he felt he couldn't win without it and b) he didn't WANT to win without it. That's not exactly his fault.