Familiar faces could dot Sochi skating landscape
Several 2010 Olympians have come back to sport -- or are contemplating doing so
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| Yu-Na Kim (left) and Miki Ando both will be returning to the ice in a competitive capacity. (Getty Images) |
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Name: Yu-Na Kim
Country: South Korea
Finish at 2010 Olympics: First
Competitive appearances since Vancouver: Two (2010 World Championships - Second; 2011 World Championships - Second)
What she's been up to since Vancouver: Splitting from coach Brian Orser, hosting Korean TV show ("Kim Yu-na's Kiss and Cry), establishing own sports agency (All That Sports Corp), publishing two books (Kim Yu-na's Seven-Minute Drama, Like Kim Yuna), recording music, serving as ambassador for Olympic Bidding Committee for Pyeongchang
Return to competition revealed: July 2012
Key quote: "I decided I still had some business left to take care of."
Name: Evan Lysacek
Country: United States
Finish at 2010 Olympics: First
Competitive appearances since Vancouver: None (appeared on initial entry lists for 2011 Skate America and 2011 Trophée Bompard but withdrew from both, posting on his website "...a suitable agreement could not be reached between US Figure Skating and myself by the event entry deadline.")
What he's been up to since Vancouver: Being named 2010 USOC SportsMan of the Year (January 2011), serving as official spokesperson for U.S. Figure Skating-funded film RISE (February 2011), winning the 2010 Sullivan award (March 2011), appearing and finishing runner-up on "Dancing with the Stars" (March-May 2010), being named sports envoy for U.S. Department of State (April 2012)
Return to competition revealed: Friday, Aug. 10 (Live announcement on The Today Show)
Key quote: "I am returning to competitive skating with the ultimate goal of representing the U.S. at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi and successfully defending my Olympic title."
Name: Evgeni Plushenko
Country: Russia
Finish at 2010 Olympics: Second
Competitive appearances since Vancouver: Two (2012 Russian Championships - First; 2012 European Championships - First)
What he's been up to since Vancouver: Being ruled ineligible by the ISU (June 2010), sending letter to Russian skating federation seeking reinstatement (April 2011), being reinstated by the ISU (June 2011), undergoing knee surgery (June 2011), announcing he would leave politics to focus on training (December 2011), undergoing knee surgery (February 2012)
Return to competition revealed: December 2011
Key quote: (upon winning seventh European title in January) "I skated with big emotions, like a real Plushenko."
Name: Johnny Weir
Country: United States
Finish at 2010 Olympics: Sixth
Competitive appearances since Vancouver: None (assigned to 2012 Rostelecom Cup and 2012 Trophée Eric Bompard)
What he's been up to since Vancouver: Starring in reality TV show ("Be Good Johnny Weir"), recording a single ("Dirty Love"), getting married (to Victor Voronov), serving as commentator for icenetwork.com at 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
Return to competition revealed: January 2012
Key quote: "I'm going to get myself skinny and beautiful and artistically prepared for the crazy world that is competitive figure skating." (Weir at his comeback press conference)
Name: Miki Ando
Country: Japan
Finish at 2010 Olympics: Fifth
Competitive appearances since Vancouver: Seven (2010 World Championships - Fourth; 2010 Cup of China - First; 2010 Rostelecom Cup - First; 2010 Grand Prix Final; 2011 Japanese Championships - First; 2011 Four Continents Championships - First; 2011 World Championships - First)
What she's been up to since Vancouver: Moved training site from the U.S. to Latvia (September 2010), left coach Nikoli Morozov, organized charity event for victims of Japanese earthquake and tsunami called Reborn Garden
Return to competition revealed: May 2012 (assigned to 2012 Cup of China and 2012 Trophée Bompard)
Key quote: "I decided to do two Grand Prix, and I want to do my best. I have not won the Grand Prix Final title, so that will be my goal." (July 2012 to Sports Hochi)
Name: Joannie Rochette
Country: Canada
Finish at 2010 Olympics: Third
Competitive appearances since Vancouver: None
What she's been up to since Vancouver: Designing jewelry for Birks (October 2010), being named Canadian Press and CBCSports.ca's 2010 Female Athlete of the Year (December 2010), visiting Honduras on behalf of relief organization World Vision (May 2011), releasing workout video (September 2011)
Return to competition revealed: Decision pending
Key quote: "I would love to come back, but I love doing shows also. It's a tough decision. I watched the Grand Prix Final last week, and I wanted to be there ... I guess I will decide in the next year or so for the next Olympics." (December 2011 to icenetwork.com)