Slattery and Lee Withdraw From Free Dance
(St. Louis, 1/12/06) - Kate Slattery and Chuen-Gun Lee announced today their withdrawal from Friday’s free dance at the 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships due to an injury Lee sustained in a collision during the warm-up before the original dance Tuesday evening. He collided with Jonathan Toman, partner of Elizabeth Palmer. Toman was uninjured. Lee suffered a broken nose and slight concussion after Toman’s elbow hit his face. Lee went on to skate in the original dance but will not continue for the free.
“It was just an accident – it happens,” Lee said. “It was just an unfortunate collision. Yes, I am disappointed we can’t compete in the free dance, but it is very, very difficult to breathe through my nose, because it is so swollen. My appearance is not that great either! It was just an accident, but I don’t want anything bad to happen (in the free dance). Our coaches said it wasn’t a good idea, because we don’t want to push it and risk an accident on a lift or a spin or any of our skating."
After the collision Lee left the ice to be examined by onsite medical personnel. It was determined he could skate the original dance if he chose, and he
made it to the ice just seconds before his name was called. He and Slattery were in 10th place following the compulsory dance, and after the original dance they were 12th. Following the event Lee was again examined by medical personnel.
“I’m feeling much, much better, because I got some medicine,” Lee said. “I was in a bit of pain (during the original dance), but I was just happy to be skating. It is my job, and I just love skating. It is a competition; it happens.”
Slattery added: “I didn’t want to do anything that would make him feel uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want to put him in a compromising position, so I support him 100 percent. We’re planning on going to the Lake Placid competition next summer and making next season our best ever.”
Lee is not expected to need surgery, but will be seen by a doctor next week as a precautionary measure.
|