What did affect your decision of retirement after having exiled yourself to US?
It was a super experience to work with Viktor and Galina. They listened to my injury, my body. They are not just interested in making money. But when you are not able to stand the load of training work, you should change your goals.
When did you make the decision to stop?
It took many hours of thinking, but when the body does not listen any more the decision was, in the end, clear. In ten years, I will thank myself for it. There are many champions who have problems with hips. I would like my health to be 100%.
What is problem with your adductor?
It is lack of balance, which causes discomfort on the muscle. The adductor muscle is always under pressure, and then it becomes chronic. I consulted the best doctors and they told me I should be careful.
Where will you live now?
Not necessarily in Switzerland. Right now, I need to travel, live adventures. But later, I will perhaps live in Switzerland.
Who was the most important person in your career?
My parents. They gave me the strength to carry out all that. They were always with me, at my side.
What is your best memory?
The Olympics in Torino. It was a competition full of emotions.
Do you think the injury you suffer is the result of an overload of work?
All skaters who reach the top level begin at a young age. Elite sport in general is like that. I do not know an athlete who went through his entire career without an injury.
- Besides titles, what do you appreciate the most in your career?
Let me give you example from Japan. I am leaving each time with a box full of touching letters. It is very moving.
- When did you decide to put an end to the competition?
Saturday, after the gala in Milan. I had this idea in my mind for several weeks, but after Milan, everything has become clearer. I have not taken this decision after a bad night. I thought long. This announcement is only the result of seven months. I did not have the means to achieve my goals. I was always listening to my body, my desires, my head. Right now, my body tells me to stop. I do not want in 10 years, not be able to go skiing because my hip hurts me. I want to be able to do jogging without having a limp after 20 minutes ... I am an athlete who loves the competition and I enjoyed it during my career.
- It’s logical you will miss competitions
A new life begins for me. At 23, my future is ahead of me. There will be no more adrenaline of the competition but the desire to skate is still there. As soon as my health allows me, I'll take up work. This is not as if I was training for the Olympics. I simply want to create. I will work with several choreographers. I want to work on programs that will enable me to do new things. But before that, I plan trips, while continuing treatment for my leg. The future belongs to me. I will do what I want.
Regret?
In no case. We should not have regrets when it comes to our health. I know that in the future, I will be pleased to have listened to my body. The dreams I had as a child, I fulfilled them. I became world champion twice, I won a silver medal at the Games, I think I can say that my career has been filled.
Will you miss competition?
Of course. It’s impossible to be elite skater and not love competition. Now I turn this page of my life, I open another book and I am delighted.
You mentioned an injury to the adductor. How does it affect you on ice?
I can not work with 70% of my abilities; this is in obvious conflict with the sport. I saw many specialists and nobody could provide a miracle cure. In these circumstances, it is pointless to persevere, knowing that the injury causes that the level of needed training is lower. The doctor told me that if I do not feel pain, I could continue.
You will now concentrate solely on the gala?
My intention is to fully regain my physical abilities. Then I will be free to express my passion with more freedom. I want to be clear, I always love skating, there is no question of leaving the ice, I'll just practice in a different way and galas offer me that opportunity.
What about your cooperation with Victor Petrenko in the USA?
We will keep in touch and possibly collaborate on future programs in galas. I want to explore new territories, I want to present a program of ten minutes without having problems with it, I want to create new choreography.
Stephan Lambiel keeps his fire. But since his retirement has been announced yesterday morning small pieces of melted ice are circling in the air. The athlete has gone. The artist stays. And the man.
Some questions are repeated. I loved what Cedric Monod said, I think he really hit the point.
"Staphan’s future is in gala performances. There he feels the best, has the most to share. He feeds on the energy of the public, he needs its love. I often saw him before the gala a little bit tired, but when he went to the ice his eyes were shining, he was transformed".