Evgeni Plushenko will not try for another Olympic men’s gold medal

For the second time in recent weeks, a former Olympic men’s figure skating champion has announced that he will not try for individual gold at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

Evgeni Plushenko, who won the title at Turin, Italy, in 2006, said he will instead focus on representing Russia in the new team event.

“I understand everything adequately,” Plushenko told R-Sport after failing to win his national title on Christmas Day. “It will be enough for me to take part in the team event.”

Earlier this month, defending champion Evan Lysacek of the U.S. announced that a torn labrum will prevent him from skating in Sochi.

Plushenko, who won silver in 2002 and 2010, has similarly battled a sore back that forced him to miss recent competitions.

The team event has nations competing in each of the four disciplines -- men’s and women’s individual, pairs and ice dancing -- with the combined score determining the winner. Russia is considered to be among the favorites for gold.

It remains to be seen if Plushenko can make his nation’s team in that event.

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