Johnny Weir Ditches Skating To Focus On Music, Television

Johnny Weir Ditches Skating To Focus On Music, Television.Professional skater Johnny Weir announced Thursday that he’ll be taking a year off from competitive skating in order to focus on other projects, including his hit reality show , a book, and even music. The 26-year-old made the announcement in a statement and audio recording posted on YouTube. “I would like to officially announce that I am withdrawing my name from from the 2010-2011 competitive season. My decision comes months after weighing the pros and cons of competing this season,” Weir said. “I have decided that I need a year to explore and reinvent myself as an athlete and artist.” Weir says that he’ll instead be focusing on his new single, “Dirty Love,” his fashion line Be Unique, and a “quarter-century” memoir which will be published by Gallery Books. He’s also returning for a second season of his reality series, “Be Good Johnny Weir.” He also hopes to stay on the ice during his year off, including participating in skating shows and producing his own skating spectacular. “The main reason for my decision is to have more time to reinvent my skating,” Weir continued. “I want to create a new skating image for myself so that when I return to competitive skating, I can perform in a way that is both unique and inspiring. I say all of this in hopes that I will return as a competitor for the 2011-2012 season.” Weir, who’s been skating competitively for ten years, hopes to be back in time to compete for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. “It would be a dream for me to compete in an Olympic Games in Russia, and I think one thing my fans know about me is that I don’t give up on a dream easily,” he says.So while he won’t be skating competitively in the upcoming season, fans of all other things Johnny Weir will have plenty to look forward to in the upcoming year.