May 15, 2000 8:01 PM Reuters

WINNIPEG, May 15 (Reuters) - Canada's three-time world figure skating champion Elvis Stojko said Monday he planned to remain eligible for one more run at Olympic gold at the 2002 Games, a decade after his first Olympic appearance in 1992.

The Salt Lake City Games would be the fourth Olympics for Stojko, who claimed Olympic silver in 1994 and 1998. When the 2002 Games roll around, Stojko will be one month shy of his 30th birthday.

By finishing second to 20-year-old Russian Alexei Yagudin at the 2000 World Championships, Stojko proved to naysayers and to himself that, at 28, he could still perform at the highest level after clawing his way back from a serious groin injury.

"I recognize that there are those who feel that at the age of 28 I am past my prime and that I should turn professional," Stojko said in a prepared statement. "It would appear to be an easy choice to make as my schedule would be less grueling and probably far more financially rewarding.

"However, I believe that you must do everything in life for the right reasons... I know that staying eligible is the right decision for me," he said. "I feel that I have a great deal more to offer as an eligible skater."

Stojko was encouraged by his ability to bounce back after nearly two years of struggling with injuries.

"I feel that this past year was an important step forward after my previous physical disabilities," he said.

The fact that the hugely popular six-time Canadian national champion will have home ice advantage at the 2001 World Championships, which will be staged in Vancouver, played a role in his decision to stay in the game.

Stojko, who made his World Championship debut on home ice in Halifax in 1990, said: "I have already chosen my music for my long program from the movie The Gladiator.

"I was very impressed with this movie since it deals with honor and doing things for the right reasons."

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