Olympic champ Evan Lysacek out of nationals
- Lysacek withdraws from U.S. Figure Skating Champisonships
- Champion has sports hernia surgery
- Gold medal winner has not competed since Vancouver
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Olympic champion Evan Lysacek's comeback is delayed again.
Lysacek has withdrawn from the upcoming U.S. Figure Skating Championships because of a slow recovery from surgery on a sports hernia. The national federation made the announcement Friday; the event begins Jan. 25.
The 27-year-old Lysacek had the surgery in November. He has been training with coaches Frank Carroll and Karen Kwan-Oppegard, but is not ready to resume competition.
He has not competed since the Vancouver Games in 2010.
"It's disappointing because health-wise I'm fine," Lysacek said. "Due to the long layoff from the surgery I still need about three more weeks to get back into competition form. The good news is I am finally healthy, back to a full training schedule and already working hard to be ready for next season to defend my Olympic title at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi."