Johnny Weir Announces He Won't Compete At the 2013 US Nationals

[missing]

Injuries will keep him from competing: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...e_pressrelease

[Sylvia]

Weir's full statement: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

[Cherub721]

One of the most honest press releases I've ever seen. Very admirable.

[ioana]

I was looking forward to seeing both him and Evan at Nationals, but it makes sense to rest up and show up better prepared next season.

[Jenny]

One of the most honest press releases I've ever seen. Very admirable.

Indeed. And note that it says nothing about injuries, just that he honestly doesn't feel he's ready to compete at that level - but he wants to, and is determined to keep going.

The IceNetwork article also doesn't say the decision is based on injuries - I think the OP may have assumed so because the article talks about the injuries this season, but Johnny's statement seems to say that wasn't his only challenge.

[Sylvia]

Just to clarify: The link in post #1 is USFS' official "standard" press release and is also published on USFS' site: http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=48764&type=media

ETA that Weir is scheduled to perform in a December 16 holiday show on Long Island (Roslyn, NY) as well as on the Today show on December 21.

[aftershocks]

Very straightforward and honest, as usual. Best of luck and best wishes to you, Johnny!

[arakwafan2006]

for the first time i think he's living in reality! good decision

[Loves_Shizuka]

All the best Johnny!

[Carolla5501]

I was looking forward to seeing both him and Evan at Nationals, but it makes sense to rest up and show up better prepared next season.

If I were in Vegas placing bets...

My bet is on neither of them making the Olympic team (although I would give Evan a slight edge) I just don't think it's realistic to expect to come back in the final year and make the team (See Sasha Cohen) And even if you do it still might be not what you wanted (See Brian Botinano)

[judgejudy27]

I would give Evan a 20% likelihood of making the 2014 U.S Olympic team, based on 35% chance of even showing up at Nationals, and 55% of making it if he does (he wont show up if he isnt able to really reach a high level in training, a level I dont think he will reach). Johnny it is more like 1% at this point, 20% of showing up, and 5% chance of making it if he does.

[SkateFan66]

I would give Evan a 20% likelihood of making the 2014 U.S Olympic team, based on 35% chance of even showing up at Nationals, and 55% of making it if he does (he wont show up if he isnt able to really reach a high level in training, a level I dont think he will reach). Johnny it is more like 1% at this point, 20% of showing up, and 5% chance of making it if he does.

IMO, it is too early to count Lysacek out of contention for the Olympic team. Although he has not competed, Evan has been training for two years. From eyewitness accounts, he was skating at a high level before the injury. He also skated well with the injury, as evidenced by his performances at Kaleidoscope on Ice, which was six days before his surgery. Even if the injury prevents him from competing at 2013 Nationals, by Fall 2013 Evan would have been training for three years, and should be able to compete at a high level.

[Skittl1321]

I just don't think it's realistic to expect to come back in the final year and make the team (See Sasha Cohen) And even if you do it still might be not what you wanted (See Brian Botinano)

Johnny isn't exactly doing a Sasha Cohen though. He did come back and compete this year- so he saw just how hard the current standard is.

I still don't think he'll be able to make the team, but even if he didn't come to nationals this year, he re-entered competition before the Olympic season.

Come backs are hard. Maintaining a high level of skating is hard. I really respect Johnny for actually showing up and trying.

[Louis]

Will Weir have to qualify at Regionals and Sectionals next year?

[Carolla5501]

Will Weir have to qualify at Regionals and Sectionals next year?

Unless they manage to find or give him international assignments he will and how many more will he get?

[snoopysnake]

A wise and mature decision and well-stated announcement. I do hope that Johnny can do what it takes to be competitive again (which should include a good nutrition plan) and I look forward to seeing him skate again.

[victoriajh]

I am sad to hear this, I love his skating and his passion for life. I hope that if he is not Abel to come back th compete he finds a niche in skating to keep involved

[LilJen]

I think it's wise. I'm a big fan of "slow and steady wins the race," and especially at his age, he needs to ramp up much more gradually over a longer period of time to ensure he's physically ready to pull out all the stops.

[pinky166]

I hope he comments at Nationals instead! He was so good last year, nice relief from Tonia!

[MacMadame]

Unless they manage to find or give him international assignments he will and how many more will he get?

If USFS believes he can come back, they'll do what they can to get him to Nationals. They often use International assignments to get certain skaters to Nationals.

Also, if Johnny makes himself available for the GP many hosts will want him at their event for the marketing potential his presence provides. I don't think he needs to worry about not getting international assignments.