Looks like Plushenko had a change of mind..

[STL_Blues_fan]

Original http://sport.gazeta.ru/sport/2006/02/26_n_550105.shtml

Translation:

Plushenko: enough skating for the government, will skate for myself

Evgeni Plushenko, having announced right after his victory at the Olympics that he will skate at the 2010 games as well, announced on Sunday that now he "doesn't know".

"In professional figure skating I can perform about 7 more years, maybe even longer. About eligible - I don't know. It's hard to skate as an armature right now. You have to stay in shape. Also eligible skaters don't get any financial help", said Plushenko to radio station Mayak.

"Enough, I have skated for the government, earned plenty of medals. Nobody amongst Russian skaters have such a medal collection. I think now is time to skate for myself", announced Olympic champion. Soon there will be tours in Russia, America. Then I will start a business (note: he doesn't elaborate). I will begin a new stage in life"

Note: a couple hours earlier, Mishin was interviewed by the same radio station and Mishin had said that he is not sure if Plushenko will stick around 2010. Also, "government" could also be translated as "country".

So, I would not look at it as an official announcement that Plushenko is done with competing. Most likely he is, unfortunately, but he may stick around for a bit.

Sorry for the rough translation - it's kind of late and I didn't have the time to refine it. But I wanted to post the news right away

 

[hockeyfan228]

Thank you, Yana! It was kind of you to give us the critical information.

I hope he does decide to retire from eligible competition, because I think he has the most original, varied, and creative exhibition numbers of any skater I've seen. He is so musically attuned to these programs. He's won everything he needs to, has stood up repeatedly to his closest competitiors, and no longer needs to be tied to the contraints of any judging system. I can't wait to see him on tour, whatever he decides.

 

[Buzzz]

I hope he does stick around a while. The skating world is not ready to move on without him.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I think the finances will come in to this family man.

Which way to go for the most income?

Joe

 

[flying camel]

I wonder if he was offered lots of money from Stars on Ice or something like that.

 

[FauveNik]

Monie monie monie...........

 

[Rikku]

I could imagine that he won't participate in every european or world championship the next four years, but make some (or a lot of) money with shows in the meantime, but if he stays healthy, there might be a chance that he'll skate at the 2010 games. The chance of being the first male skater since 1952 that wins two consecutive gold medals is quite enticing. Whether he'll be able to pull it off then is another question..

 

[R.D.]

Monie monie monie...........

 

[jesslily]

If he can keep this shape for four years, I don't see anyone else will be placed ahead of him.

 

[nicole_l]

If he can keep this shape for four years, I don't see anyone else will be placed ahead of him.

A lot can happen in 4 years.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

He just may tie Dick's record but he wont surpass it. Not his fault, but 2014 would be asking to much for anyone in their 30s.

Joe

 

[attyfan]

Plushy has been fighting knee injuries for some time and had surgery only last season. Maybe, he wants to go out on a high point, before his body breaks down.

 

[Vash01]

I wonder if he was offered lots of money from Stars on Ice or something like that.

If he joins a tour it does not automatically eliminate him from eligible competitions.

Yes, the temptation of the pro world is great but a competitor like Evgeni should take his time to make a decision after considering all things. He could get bored after sometime, without the challenge of a real competition (the pro competitions are laughable). Kulik and B&S waited for one whole year before they decided to turn pro. They skated with SOI during that year but did not lose the eligibility until they informed their fed.

Vash

 

[Vash01]

He just may tie Dick's record but he wont surpass it. Not his fault, but 2014 would be asking to much for anyone in their 30s.

Joe

I am hoping that he would tie Button's record. It is rare to see skaters that repeat as Olympic champions - G&G, Witt, G&P, Witt in recent years, and Henie (3x), R&Z (Irina R. 3x) in the past, but there were no pros pulling skaters away those days.

Vash

 

[shdotz]

Pluskenko

Original http://sport.gazeta.ru/sport/2006/02/26_n_550105.shtml

Translation:

Plushenko: enough skating for the government, will skate for myself

Evgeni Plushenko, having announced right after his victory at the Olympics that he will skate at the 2010 games as well, announced on Sunday that now he "doesn't know".

"In professional figure skating I can perform about 7 more years, maybe even longer. About eligible - I don't know. It's hard to skate as an armature right now. You have to stay in shape. Also eligible skaters don't get any financial help", said Plushenko to radio station Mayak.

"Enough, I have skated for the government, earned plenty of medals. Nobody amongst Russian skaters have such a medal collection. I think now is time to skate for myself", announced Olympic champion. Soon there will be tours in Russia, America. Then I will start a business (note: he doesn't elaborate). I will begin a new stage in life"

Note: a couple hours earlier, Mishin was interviewed by the same radio station and Mishin had said that he is not sure if Plushenko will stick around 2010. Also, "government" could also be translated as "country".

So, I would not look at it as an official announcement that Plushenko is done with competing. Most likely he is, unfortunately, but he may stick around for a bit.

Sorry for the rough translation - it's kind of late and I didn't have the time to refine it. But I wanted to post the news right away

_______________________

Glad to hear that P will skate professionally. No one deserves it more.

He's married now. His family is extremely important to him.

I wonder if he, too, will be worth the $20M that other gold medalists are, or if his country takes the prizes.

If he's professional, he can keep all his monies and start his business. Can't wait to find out what that will be.

shdotz

 

[cutiepatutie]

I hope he does stick around a while. The skating world is not ready to move on without him.

Sure it is!!!

 

[ceg15]

Geesh. I hope to god he retires. Other skaters need their chance too...

 

[Mathman]

I wonder if he, too, will be worth the $20M that other gold medalists are, or if his country takes the prizes.

I think that $20,000,000 number that is thrown around is the estimate that a U.S. lady belle of the ball, like Dorothy Hamill or Kristi Yamaguchi, might be able to make from all commercial sources. The main thing is landing big corporate sponsorship deals.

I don't know what opportunities Evgeni will have in Russia along these lines.

If General Mills were cool they'd put him on the Wheaties box.

Probably, though, in the U.S. his medal will give him a bigger paycheck from COI or SOI than he otherwise could command. (Maybe not as much as Steven Cousins, but still...)

Mathman

 

[hockeyfan228]

Probably, though, in the U.S. his medal will give him a bigger paycheck from COI or SOI than he otherwise could command. (Maybe not as much as Steven Cousins, but still...)

Mathman

Oh, ouch. (Sad, but probably too true.)

 

[FreeKatie]

I think this is a good decision for Plush, if for no other reason to get him out of Mishin's evil clutches! lol. I think it will give him more time to spend with his family, he will have fun, make money, finish his amateur career at the top of his sport, why not?