​Gold Medalist Figure Skater Evan Lysacek Will Not Compete in Sochi

Heeding his doctor’s warnings, figure skating champion and Vera Wang muse Evan Lysacek has decided to forgo competing in the Sochi Olympics to avoid putting his body through the incredibly demanding stress necessary to be Olympic-ready. In an interview on the Today show, he explained:

“The training and the discipline that it takes are incredible, and people expect that to be an Olympic gold medalist you have to work hard and be dedicated, but the level of sacrifice and discipline to live that lifestyle are immense.”

Lysacek last competed in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he won gold. He has since been dealing with injuries including a torn hip labrum that caused him to withdraw from the Skate America competition in October. The most successful US male figure skater, the decision clearly was not easy:

“Undoubtedly, I’m beginning now just to come out of shock and start to process this, but I think I’ll lean on that team [of friends, family, and sponsors] a considerable amount…”

Despite this setback, Lysacek hasn’t ruled out a return to competition upon healing from his injuries. Until then he’ll hopefully keep busy being Ralph Lauren’s Olympic poster boy, and you know, not tweeting homophobic things.