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Eager to return Russian ice dancers likely to miss season
Posted: Tuesday November 23, 1999 09:48 AM
MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Double world ice dance champions Anjelika Krylova and Oleg Ovsyannikov are likely to miss the whole figure skating season but deny rumors they are reluctant to face the best opposition. "It's total garbage," Ovsyannikov said in a telephone interview from the United States Monday, referring to media reports the couple decided to skip the major championships on purpose. "We are eager to get back on the ice, especially as we have financial problems right now. But our return this season looks very problematic due to Anjelika's spine injury," he said. Ovsyannikov said the two, who live and train in Delaware, even had to stop training because his partner's pain had become unbearable in the last 10 days. Krylova's injury occurred four years ago in training in Moscow but has flared up lately. "She is getting treatment in a New Jersey hospital as we speak," he said. "The whole thing is probably even tougher mentally on myself because I feel for her. "The doctors have not yet ruled out surgery completely but they want to try physiotherapy first." He said they were forced to cancel three Grand Prix events so far and would make a decision on the rest of the season by next month. "In any case, we plan to come to Moscow next month and, if Anjelika's health permits, will do an exhibition there," he said. "But we'll call a press conference and explain the true reason for our absence. We are not afraid of any competition." The Russian press claimed the two had decided to skip this season's major events, including world and European championships, because the pair wanted to avoid a face-to-face meeting with their main competition, French duo Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat. In March, the Russians won the 1999 world championship in Helsinki by the narrowest of margins over their French rivals. After the competition the French protested against the Russian victory, saying a Chinese judge may have illegally changed his vote after the intervention of the event's Russian referee. The protest was rejected. This season, Krylova and Ovsyannikov would face a much tougher time defending their title with two major championships taking place in France. The world championship will be held in Nice next March, while the Grand Prix finals are scheduled for Paris in January.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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