Bronze medalist of Olympic Games in Turin, Russian figure-skater Irina Slutskaya refused from participation in world championship, which will be held in Calgary on March 20-26.

Slutskaya had no intention to go to Canada after Olympic Games but changed her mind during meeting of Olympians with Russian president.

"I will not participate in world championship, - confirmed 2-times world champion and 9-times champion of Europe. - It doesn`t mean that I will become disheartened and abandon to despair. I will rejoice Russian fans with ice shows. My dream of gold Olympic medal didn`t come true but I believe that best moments of my life are still ahead".

Slutskaya noted that the fall during performance of Olympic free program was hard in all senses. "I fell down and all hopes crushed. But I am proud that I organized and skated the rest of the program as a real champion", - said figure-skater.
sections: Sport