It seems to be true. Plushenko plans to be back next season.
Thanks for the links Daniela and Irene

http://de.rian.ru/sports/20080218/99518032.html (german)
Summary:
In today's press conference he said that he'll definitely be back next season. He's already practicing and doing jumps with 3.5 turns. And he plans to start with a smaller competition in September/October.

Articles in French:
http://fr.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080218/tsp-jo-glace-patinage-artistique-rus-c682194_1.html

http://www.lameuse.be/actualite/fil_info/article_578332.shtml

http://www.eurosport.fr/patinageartistique/sport_sto1483671.shtml

all that comes to mind is : again???

Please, not again... I can't bear a thought of him coming back.
It is not that I don't enjoy his skating, sometimes I do in fact.
For example, when I watched the show at Red Square in December I did love his performance. He was really impressive and I have to hand it to him

But I simply want to see some new faces representing Russia. Why not give other skaters a chance?
After all, they also have to gain the experience how to compete at major competitions and to challenge for a medal some day.
Besides when you watch skaters performing as Takahashi did at Four Continents,
you do start wondering whether it is sensible for Plushenko to make a comeback.

Although I guess Plushenko's fans are of another opinion. They must be looking forward to his return.

That's bad news for me too....but i think that it means only that he began practising.i think if he believes that he isn't good enough he won't comeback.
he cosiders himself a winner and he want's to comeback to win. maybe he changes his mind after the Worlds.... who knows...

Well, I have heard it so many times, but I still cant believe in it. I dont really think he can be a real contender for 2010 Olys. So many things has changed, and its not only Takahashi who could challenge him. And I also dont think he really needs it - he is an Olympic champion, after some surgeries - he should be happy that he can skate and entertain the crowd in shows. If he wins, it will be kind of a usual thing. If he loses, he will lost some of his reputation.

Please, Plushy, be happy with your medal from Turin and watch Vancouver on TV. It will be better for you, and for us.

surely he will be too old by then!

Quote:

Please, Plushy, be happy with your medal from Turin and watch Vancouver on TV. It will be better for you, and for us.

maybe we should send him some advice!!

:bjdg3dl9:

Thanks for the articles Nina!! :Merci2:
I hope Plushenko takes the right decision for him and his career...

Thanks Nina!
Yeah...even Polish news portals put it in the news (and the figure skating news are posted once in a blue moon here in Poland)

Thanks for the news.
I really hope he does not come back. Why he just can't give a chance to other Russians - Voronov, Lutai etc.? He just wants to feel that they still need him.

You know what, if he comes back I really hope that he will not even finish at the podium at major competitions, that would be a good lesson.

well, if i should pick someone for comming back in skating that person will definitely be yagudin and not plushenko...i hope he's not serious...and this not because he would be a threat for brian or stephane....they are much better then a few years ago....but he does the same thing everytime...and i don't want to see him doing again and again the same program...remember when he said he will present a new program at the olympics? and yet he did an old program...i really think his time for competing is gone......and it will be really difficult for him to come back, many things have changed....
and he can't compete for ever...

but, we will see...anyway, i think now a bigger threat for brian is takahashi and plushenko won't be able to be in the top if he comes back

An article in English:
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=202495&version=1&template_id=49&parent_id=29

wow!thanks for the article Nina!
I guess if it is in the news, he really must be coming back :brak: ...I think it is unfortunate for all the younger russian men...shouldn't they have their chance?the guy Voronov(I think ...the one that was 4th in Zagreb) was great I thought..they can't rely on plushy forever!!! :337malzonka.gi

While I don't think Plushenko's return is such a bad thing I do hope he doesn't make the mistake of entering the competitions with the assumption that he's locked into winning. The skaters he left behind after his Olympic win have improved immeasurably and are, now, stiff compeition for him. He'll have to fight hard to repeat those gold medals, LOL, because the judges won't hand them over to him because he's the reining Olympic gold medalist.

In addition I think his presence among the competitors will be a good thing, since it will push Brian, Lambiel, Takahashi, Weir and Lysacek, and the others to be on the top of their game, and that will make for superb competitions. It will be very interesting to watch what develops.

Mary C.

Ximena wrote a long and informative post on FSU. Here is an extract of it:

"As for him coming back or not. The difference between his call and some of the other skaters is that Evgeni is training every day now, he is on diet, he has been consistenly skating every since Torino. He is preparing the programs, the SP is done, that and two more just in case, and apparently 3 FS (and wether you like it or not, it is Marton again). He has put on hold any other activities that is not regarding his skating. So he is doing what it's necesary to come back, and he wants to. So unless he re-injured himself (I so hope that does not happen) he will come back."

I didn't know all these things. Especially about the SP's and LP's!