Johnny Weir, Olympic figure skater and star of Sundance Channel reality series Be Good Johnny Weir, has announced that he will not take place at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Torino, Italy later this month, saying he will take a short break from competition to “rework his technique.”
Weir issued the following statement this afternoon: “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.”
More on Weir from EW.com:
Johnny Weir gets “fierce” with Larry King
Johnny Weir responds to “gender” controversy
Johnny Weir wants to write a tell-all
Johnny Weir says tough sports guys would cry after skating
An appreciation for “Be Good Johnny Weir”
…and why is this news at EW?
Because he’s an entertaining personality? Because he was a prominent participant in a recent televised worldwide competition that also received extensive coverage at EW because it was a pop culture event and TV entertainment? Because there’s an entire PopWatch category called “PopWatch on Ice” that has spotlighted him numerous times? Because figure skating sort of crosses over between athletics and artsy entertainment? Plenty of reasons!
Possibly because he has his own reality TV show?
Which is very good btw. Ya’ll should tune in and watch!
He wants to concentrate on the upcoming World Nutjob Championship.
HA!
I didn’t think I would be but I’m actually really disappointed. I really hope this is not the end for him. He skates so beautifully.
I respect his decision. He has a competitive spirit and I know he wants to place on the medal stand again. He needs to rework his strategy for winning.
Take all the time you need Johnny!
That’s a very eloquent press release. The more I learn about Johnny Weir, the more I respect him. Here’s hoping his time off for training brings his skating up to medal-worthy levels.
If you want to see Johnny Weir skate to Poker Face in a city near you, please take the time to sign this petition: http://www.gopetition.com/online/34546.html
aww man! i feel so disappointed but its his decision. I was looking very forward to see him in Torino! Its okay Johnny i still Love you!
guess i have to wait 4 more years, sighs 
he is probably working on the quad-jump, which is what he should be doing. That is the only way he can get the judges award him the points he truly deserves, despite his sexuality.