Evgeny Plushenko will NOT be Seeing You at Sochi

Reigning Olympic platinum medalist Evgeny Plushenko failed to appeal his International Skating Union suspension from competition, so he will not be able to compete at the 2014 Olympics in his homeland of Russia, according to ABC News. Plushenko lost eligibility for skating exhibitions (despite withdrawing from the March world championships with injury) without getting permission from the Russian Federation.

Plushenko reportedly still wants to compete, but actions speak louder than words.  It seems to me that this was the perfect (only?) way to get out of trying for the Olympics in his home country.  By then he would be 32, and he has been battling injuries throughout his career.  He is pretty amazing so I wouldn't have been surprised to see him in Sochi.  But...he didn't even appeal the ruling.  I can't imagine he wouldn't have at least tried if Sochi meant that much to him.