Evan Lysacek’s path to golden repeat hits another bump

PARK CITY, Utah — Another injury, this time to his left hip, has prevented 2010 Olympic figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek from returning to competition.

Lysacek, who trains in El Segundo with coach Frank Carroll, said Monday at the U.S. Olympic media summit that he will not be able to compete at the Skate America Grand Prix event. He has not competed since he triumphed in Vancouver.

But Lysacek, who previously pulled out of the U.S. International Classic because of an abdominal tear, said he remains confident he can compete in the Sochi Olympics and continue his quest for a second straight Olympic title medal.

“It’s extremely unfortunate, but it’s not the end of the world,� he said of his latest injury.

Lysacek said he suffered the abdominal tear and hip labrum tear on a “very violent� fall on Aug. 21 while attempting to perform a quadruple toe loop jump during a runthrough of his short program. He was off the ice for a month and felt some pain when he resumed skating. The hip injury became evident after an MRI last week.

Lysacek, 28, also has endured groin and sports hernia injuries in recent years.

In order to be eligible for the Sochi Games, Lysacek must compete in an international event in order to get a minimum qualifying score. He would then have to make the team at the U.S. championships, which will be held in January in Boston.

Lysacek said Monday that he isn’t worried that the injuries are a signal that he has put his body through too much in order to return to an elite level.

“I don’t, no. In a lot of ways I feel stronger than I’ve ever been, stamina- and strength-wise,� he said at the summit, which brings prospective Olympians together to conduct media interviews.

“I have a great team in play of trainers, nutritionists, obviously my coach is incredible. I really have to chalk the last year and a half up to bad luck. And I’m hoping that the luck turns around and I’m being very cautious in my approach back into training and following my doctors’ orders, taking it one day at a time. But my goal is still the same: to be ready for nationals and the Olympics and I trust that my body will get there.�

Lysacek said he has been working with U.S. Figure Skating officials to work out a plan for the rest of his season.

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