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Statement: Johnny Weir on withdrawing from Worlds

March 9, 2010 5 Comments

A statement from Johnny Weir on his withdraw from the 2010 World Championships:

I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support during the recent Olympic Games. The 2010 Olympics will be a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  I feel that I skated two of the best performances of my career, making my coaches, my family and above all- myself very proud. But I would not have been able to skate the way I did without the encouragement of my fans worldwide.

And while I am still embracing my Olympic memories and have the momentum to move forward, I have decided that it is not advantageous at this time for me to partake in the World Championships in Torino, Italy.  After my sixth place finish in Vancouver, I believe that I must take time to reassess my strategies and goals.  While I understand the importance of competition, I feel that a short break at this time would be personally beneficial to me. I know all may not share my stance, but I can assure everyone that I will be re-energized after I’ve had time to rework my technique. I want to be a better competitor and win medals for my country and I hope everyone can respect my decision to take this time off.

Once again, I want to thank everyone who supported me this season.  Specifically, I would like to thank my coaches Galina Zmievskaya, Viktor Petrenko, Nina Petrenko, Priscilla Hill and David Wilson for helping me make my Olympic dreams a reality.  I would also like to thank my family and friends for their never- ending support. Finally, I want my fans to know that I love them and I work every day to make them proud. I will continue to work hard and I hope my work for next season will be the most exciting of my career.

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  • Kara Morgan said:

    Good Luck Johnny, I was looking forward to seeing you at Worlds but you need to do what you have to do. I was honestly so proud of you at the Olympics Keep up the good work I hope to see you skating again.

    # 9 March 2010 at 7:18 pm
  • Purrmonsta said:

    My husband and I loved your Olympic performances and have watched many other skates of yours on the web since then. You are a true artist within your sport, your skating is hypnotic. If you need to take time to regroup in order to enhance your program we’ll all be waiting and sending good vibes and prayers your way till you’re back on the ice. We are behind you 100% and can’t wait to see what your creative mind and team will dream up for us to enjoy next! Rock on Johnny!

    # 9 March 2010 at 10:53 pm
  • Amelia Sterling said:

    I hope reworking his technique means that he is planning on continuing to skate for the 2014 Olympics.

    # 10 March 2010 at 9:06 pm
  • Easter said:

    I am not an ice skating judge. I only know what I feel when I watch a skater skate. When I watched Weir’s long program at the Olympics, I didn’t want to yell and jump up and down with excitement when it was over; I wanted to be very still because I had been transported. His performance was spirit-filled. As Scott Hamilton appropriately called it “etheric.” Johnny Weir is not only an athlete, he is an artist, a brilliant one.

    # 14 March 2010 at 4:09 am
  • Denver said:

    I am not a huge fan of skating. I am more of a contact sports fan. But I have to say, Jonny you are good at what you do. And 6th place is not where they should have placed you. “Evan” looked like a football player in tights. What you had was ART! I hope none of my friends find out I am posting about a figure skater..LOL… Good luck Jonny! Remember, “When you are good you are good and you are bad you are better”!LOL..You cought me, me and my wife even caught a few of your TV shows.

    # 14 March 2010 at 5:37 pm