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Stojko's manager denies skater could miss a year
VANCOUVER (CP) -- There could be an Elvis sighting after all this winter.Elvis Stojko's manager issued a news release Monday saying the two-time Olympic silver medallist is recovering from a severe groin injury. The terse statement said Stojko has resumed on-ice training and expects to return to competition this fall.
"At this point he's starting to do jumps," Ed Futerman said in an interview from his Toronto law office.
"The doctors say in the next two or three weeks he will be able to do all his triples. He's a month ahead of schedule."
Futerman refuted comments made by David Dore Friday. Dore, director general of the Canadian Figure Skating Association, said Stojko's groin injury could sideline the three-time world champion for the upcoming season.
"I think you'll have to look at the possibility . . . that he may have to take a year (off)," said Dore.
Alexei Urmanov, the 1994 Olympic champion, has been sidelined for over a year since suffering a groin injury in March 1997.
Futerman said Dore hadn't been told of recent medical reports.
"We have a further medical examination as of 10 days ago," he said.
"The doctor was absolutely optimistic that Elvis can bo back to full training and he will be ready to compete by the fall."
Dore didn't return telephone calls Monday. A Canadian Figure Skating Association official said Dore wasn't aware of the new report when he made his comments.
"It wasn't anything we had a copy of before hand," said the official, who didn't want to be named.
"We're just waiting to see what develops."
Futerman said Dore wasn't told of the recent examinations because Stojko still hasn't decided whether he will turn professional this year.
"We weren't sure whether Elvis was staying eligible or turning professional so we did not tell David what his up-to-date progress was," he said.
"There was no hidden agenda."
Stojko skated through excruciating pain to win the silver medal at the Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
He ripped both ends of a tendon that attaches to the pubic bone and the abductor muscle, which works to pull the leg away from the body. He also tore a muscle in his lower abdomen during the long program at the Olympics.
Futerman said Stojko has undergone magnetic resonance imaging tests.
"The MRIs are showing an area that hasn't completely healed but all the areas that would likely cause us a concern have completely healed," Futerman said.
Stojko is going ahead with plans for his tour of champions in November.
If Stojko decides to remain an amateur he would probably compete in the Skate Canada and Skate American competitions, Futerman said.