MOSCOW (AP) — Evgeny Plushenko says the skating test that could determine if he competes at the Sochi Olympics was a success.
Plushenko, whose three Olympic medals include the 2006 gold, is eager for a career-capping performance in his home country. But he had back surgery in the spring and since then competed only at a second-tier international event and the Russian nationals, where he finished behind Maxim Kovtun.
However, Kovtun’s relative inexperience and fifth-place finish at the European Championships make many think Plushenko would be preferable for Russia’s sole slot in Sochi.
Plushenko looked to make his case in a closed-door test skate on Tuesday. He told the R-Sport agency that it was “really great,” including two quads and two triple axels.
The Russian skating federation is to announce its decision Thursday.
