Sandhu Passes Up Olympics For Dancing

Former Olympic figure skater, Emanuel Sandhu, has made a surprising decision – he’s going to skip the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics because he made the Top 10 on So You Think You Can Dance Canada.

Honestly, I don’t even know what to say about this.  Last year when he tried out for the show, the judges felt he was too arrogant and, sure, he’s come back with a better attitude but it’s the Olympics!  Did I mention he’s from Vancouver?!

“I don’t think I could ever turn my back on my skating, like I could never turn my back on my dance career,” Sandhu said.  “It’s just too much a part of the fabric of who I am and a part of my identity…. It was a very, very difficult decision to step back from my skating career. I haven’t given up my eligibility as an athlete, but even to just take a couple of seasons off, it was a huge decision to me.  I’m supporting all of Canadian athletes, I know what it’s like to be in the trenches.”

He’s 28 years old so I realize that his dream of winning the gold medal at the Games isn’t as realistic as it might have been four years ago but I find it so surprising that he chose to not even try!

“That thought certainly crossed my mind but then I had to ask myself, ‘OK, what ingredients do I need to become a champion?’ ” said Sandhu. “If you cannot commit to your training as an Olympic athlete you will not succeed…. I knew in my heart that I couldn’t at this point get myself in the mind frame or the focus or the dedication that I needed to continue my training as an Olympic athlete, that I needed to step back. It’s not fair to represent a country and do it half-(hearted).”

Well, let’s hope this gamble pays off!

image: CTV