US skating star Gracie Gold taking time off, seeking help

FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2014, file photo, Gracie Gold competes in the women's short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Sochi, Russia. U.S. figure skating star Gracie Gold is stepping away from the sport to seek professional help with the Olympics a little more than five months away. The 2014 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion did not specify in a statement to U.S. Figure Skating what sort of help she needs. She said Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, her "passion for skating and training remains strong" and she will be away for "some time." She hopes this will allow her to become a "stronger person."(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2014, file photo, Gracie Gold competes in the women's short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Sochi, Russia. U.S. figure skating star Gracie Gold is stepping away from the sport to seek professional help with the Olympics a little more than five months away. The 2014 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion did not specify in a statement to U.S. Figure Skating what sort of help she needs. She said Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, her "passion for skating and training remains strong" and she will be away for "some time." She hopes this will allow her to become a "stronger person."(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

By Associated Press September 1, 2017 3 min read

U.S. figure skating star Gracie Gold is stepping away from the sport to seek professional help with the Olympics a little more than five months away.

The 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist and two-time national champion did not specify in a statement Friday to U.S. Figure Skating what sort of help she needs.

“My passion for skating and training remains strong,” the 22-year-old skater said. “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.”

Her decision was first reported by USA Today.

Gold has dropped out of the Japan Open, an invitational team competition on Oct. 7. She has not abandoned her two major international assignments in the Grand Prix series: Cup of China and Internationaux de France. Both are in November.