Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold Announces Time Off to Seek “Professional Help”
US Olympic figure skater Gracie Gold said in a statement today that she would be taking time off to seek professional help. Gold did not state what kind of help she would be getting, but she did say that she hoped to be back on the ice for her next assignments.
“My passion for skating and training remains strong,” Gold said in her statement, issued to USA Today. “However, after recent struggles on and off the ice, I realize I need to seek some professional help and will be taking some time off while preparing for my Grand Prix assignments. This time will help me become a stronger person, which I believe will be reflected in my skating performances as well.”
Gold’s Grand Prix assignments are scheduled for November in Beijing and Grenoble, France.
At only 22 years old, Gold has already accomplished a lot in her career. She’s a two-time US national figure skating champion, and she took home a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
USA Today reports that Gold has been in a skating slump since a fourth-place finish at the 2016 world championships in Boston. At this spring’s US Figure Skating preview camp, Gold reportedly struggled to land even simple jumps.
The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, start February 9, with figure skating trials beginning in early January.
Asking for help when you need it can be incredibly difficult, whether you’re overwhelmed as a new mom or suffering at a demanding job. We applaud Gold’s decision to focus on her well being, and wish her all the best.
Have you ever had to ask for professional help? Let us know @BritandCo.
(Photo via Tasos Katopodis/Getty)
