Evgeni Plushenko announces retirement from figure skating

Russian Federation figure skater Evgeni Plushenko has announced his retirement from the sport.

The 31-year-old pulled out of the men's short programme earlier today because of a back injury.

Plushenko was aiming to win his fifth Olympic medal, which would have made him the most successful figure skater in history.

He is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I think it's God saying, 'Evgeni, enough, enough with skating'. Age, it's OK. But I have 12 surgeries. I'd like to be healthy."

The Solnechny District-born veteran helped Russia win the team figure skating gold medal on Sunday.