Olympic champion Evan Lysacek will not skate in Sochi

A lingering hip injury will prevent Olympic champion Evan Lysacek from defending his gold medal in figure skating at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

The 28-year-old Lysacek tore the labrum in his left hip in August. He had been training through intense pain in hopes of making it to Russia, but doctors warned him that he needs to rest for several months or risk permanent damage.

“Words cannot describe how disappointed I am to not be able to compete in Sochi,” Lysacek said in a statement Tuesday. “The proudest moments of my life have been representing the United States in the last two Winter Olympics.”

At the 2010 Vancouver Games, the Illinois native became the first American man in more than two decades to capture gold in figure skating. He has also won 10 major titles including a world championship and two U.S. championships.

He has not competed since Vancouver.

“I have suffered numerous injuries over the course of my skating career and they are some of the hardest things an athlete has to overcome,” he said. “While none of my past injuries have sidelined me quite like this one, I remain determined to regain my health and skate again.”

His withdrawal -- and the recent retirement of Johnny Weir -- is further bad news for the American men, who have struggled on the international scene in recent years.

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