Is Irina retiring?

[seanibu]

http://www.kp.ru/daily/23663.4/50269/print/

I would wait for an official announcement, buttttttttt.

..translation, the last sentence "I have decided that I need to give birth."?

A report by John Zimmerman on Yahoo, that Irina threw a tantrum after the medal ceremony and chucked her bronze medal into the trash. ??????

I was very surprised to hear this after seeing her grateful response in 2004 to getting 9th. - I am sure most of you will know what I am refering to. And she still is coping with a number of the same issues???

"Ira, You are still loved and admired!!!!!! Johny seemed more up set about you then his buddy."

Not trying to say that she shouldn't be upset AND she should have a little more privacy - maybe the steroids are making her moody (acutely haven't heard if she's off totally or what, think she'll be on them forever, but that has affects if she's being "weaned" as well).

I really think that she felt like she didn't give her Mother the one thing she thought Mom would want, and that is something that can kill you inside.

Also can ONLY assume, that "hubby" and the way he is very "trophy bride" oriented, might have a touch of "sting" to it as well.

And Sasha screwed up at Least twice, that made me at least "motion" to the TV with a WHAT......HOW.....HUNH?

She might not even know, or at the time, what she was doing. Sometimes people can just feel like it is the end one day and the same thing makes you feel like starting something new. Emotions are unpredictable most of the time.

She might not even have done this - I am still 50-50 on believing, or I just can't admit it yet - let alone the possibilities of some totally unknown reason that is truly her right to privacy. We'll really have to wait for a few more sources and possibly her showing it to everyone.

I've lost my cool as well, And I admire her just the same! Besides that, I don't think her Program could have earned her the gold via the points if it was perf. It was Sh-chan's night, there is nothing her "components" could have done to change it.

For now, I'll conceder the source. And I think she'll make a great Mom too.

BTW, this has been viewed by 2,000+ people already.

[Scarlett21]

Irina's returning? What for? She is not able to reach the gold now and other medals are useless for her. It's a pity but it's true. I'm sure of it. She was wonderful but now she needs simply to have rest. Everybody knows that she is the best and she doesn't need to proove something to somebody. Irina! Be happy!:) :) :)

[maryjolly88]

She said in an interview for a Russian magazine that she absolutely did not throw her medal into the trash. She was certainly upset because she had hoped to win the gold, but later she stated that she was very proud to have won an olympic medal and she was surprised about what some magazines wrote about her. She also said that she is not sure about retiring, but I have read an interview of Zhanna Gromova which says that she will not. :) Let's hope so!
Bye;)
P.S. I also don't think that she will not be able to win a gold medal again, because she skated wonderfully in the Olympics SP and she really could have won.

[Laetitia_Hubert]

Some "journalists" (and I use that term very loosely) can be so nasty. I think the whole world knows that Slutskaya was upset after not winning gold at the Olympics but she's the type of person to throw a hissy fit. If the way the ladies performed during Worlds is any indication of how many skaters can't complete 2 clean programs then Irina should come back and try her luck again! I have a feeling medals would not be out of her grasp!8-)

[Schmeck]

Was it Blades on Ice or International Figure Skating Magazine that used to have the really catty European columns? Whenever I read an online European 'gossipy' article on figure skating, I always take the info with a grain (or pound!) of salt... :lol: Of course, some articles originating from the European region of figure skating are fine, but some just remind me of the funny, fake articles that used to be made up on FSW and FSU.

[axel lover]

Honestly the things some papers/journals make up is criminal:roll: Whatever the truth I shall miss watching Irina she is a great skater and gutsy performer. I hope she enjoys a stress free life!:)

[seanibu]

It appears that "closer" sources are saying "Four More Years!" - still not her yet. I think her health maybe a concern. I also wonder a bit to about the fact the Biellmann might be limited in the future and will she be able to fill the whole LP?

Music to my ears if she stays in it!!!!!!

I agree with the comments about the "nasty news reporting" and feel like you can't trust a word until you hear it from their own mouth. I just wonder how so called jornilists can continue perpetuating these things and still maintain any reader base at all. I just get so fed up with it, I dismiss anything they have to say. But I guess as long as people buy, they will try.:giveup:

[binay123]

newbie here, and a fan of irina... i just hope she wont retire just yet.. i also read in one online article, that she might just start doing quads if that what it takes to compete w/ the younger skaters... and i think she could do it. as what the other veteran skaters said, she, still is considered the best jumper in ladies' figure skating, the spring and height that she makes for her jump are still unmatched by the other skaters... and w/ the attitude reports after the olympics, disappointed for sure. but she still is considered one of the friendliest and bubbliest among skaters...

btw, is she still close friends w/ michelle kwan? i saw a pix of them during one of their practices for the upcoming COI..

[loveskating]

I doubt if Irina threw a tantrum, but if she did, I don't mind -- they are all entitled as long as they don't do it on air where little kids can see them!!! Gawd, even parents go off from their kids and have a good fight sometimes!

However, I think Sasha beat her fair and square for the silver.

I hate these so-called reporters who go around spying on celebrities and forcing them to be on camera all the time, that is SO SICK, no one who is normal would submit to living in a fish bowl for any price! I sure wouldn't!

I think Irina should retire, but of course, its up to her. I don't want to see her in decline and I've respected how she has kept up her high technical level through illness and everything -- but I do think she has peaked, and she is ill, and needs to take care of herself.

[sk8er6]

Irina really needs to retire. She has been around almost as long as Michelle, and while I do admit that she has maintained her skills, she should move on to professional skating. She is a popular skater, and an entertaining show skater, and would be a great asset to Stars On Ice. She has two Olympic medals, and is the two time World Champion, and while I personally am not a fan of hers at all (I love Sasha!) she has had a very rewarding career and I think that she should move on before it all starts to go downhill.