Plushenko announces date for knee surgery

Former Olympic figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko says he will have surgery on his left knee in Germany on Feb. 23.

The 29-year-old Russian won a seventh European title last week in Sheffield, England, to add to his Olympic gold from 2006 and three world championships.

He announced his plans for surgery Friday on Twitter. He had already ruled himself out of the world championships that begin March 25 in Nice, France, so he can recover from the surgery.

Plushenko returned last year from a suspension imposed by the International Skating Union in June 2010 for taking part in exhibitions without approval of the governing body.

Plushenko aims to skate at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and bid for a medal at a fourth straight games.

SEARCH