|
Jeffrey Buttle, Canada's reigning world figure
skating champion, announced his retirement from amateur competition
today, but said he would remain a part of the skating scene in
Canada for 2010 when the winter Olympics come to Vancouver.
"After such a momentous win (in March at the
world championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, in March), I started
looking at everything I accomplished in skating, and in coming to
this decision, I had to make sure I was satisfied with everything I
did," said Buttle, 26, a native of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont.
Buttle, who made the announcement at a press
conference this morning at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, actually
made up his mind earlier after talking to several skaters and his
family. But he decided to take the summer and train as if he was
going to continue competing for Canada, so he could be 100 per cent
certain of his decision.
"I was pleased with my training; my long
program was probably the best it's ever been," Buttle said. "But
those thoughts (retirement) were still there. Now I can still be
involved in Vancouver, but in a different role."
That role is likely to be as an advisor and
mentor to up and coming Canadian skaters like Patrick Chan and Shawn
Sawyer. Buttle, a three-time Canadian champion, said he certainly
struggled with the idea of continuing his career long enough to
represent his country one more time on home ice.
"That was one of the battles that was going on
in my mind, it's what made this decision so difficult," Buttle said.
"In fact, the only thing that was stopping it was Vancouver. That's
why I gave myself the buffer of taking time this summer. But I came
to the conclusion that the Olympics shouldn't be the only motivating
factor, that I should be true to myself."
Lee Barkell, Buttle's long-time coach, who was
with him for a bronze medal performance at the 2006 Olympics in
Turin, Italy and the world title this year, said he admired Buttle's
decision.
"To go to Vancouver, you have to train every
day with the passion that it takes to be a champion," Barkell said.
"Ninety per cent won't do it, so I admire an athlete who can make
that decision and not stay on for selfish reasons. Every single day
in his career (Buttle) skated like he was on a mission. Not may
people know how hard he worked to become that all around skater."
Buttle said he would enjoy mentoring Canadian
skaters, and will join the Skate Canada team today as they head to
Vancouver for a training camp. He also wants to complete his
chemical engineering studies at the University of Toronto, but will
likely remain devoted to skating before returning to serious
studies.
"I think that's (studies) is in the future,"
said Buttle, who will definitely skate in professional level shows
and tours. "I'd like to take a step back right now and just collect
myself. But I like the idea of talking to skaters, of sharing my
opinions with them and helping out when I can."
|
