Figure skater Cohen pulls out of Paris Grand Prix

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Olympic silver medallist Sasha Cohen decided to skip the ISU's Grand Prix Series which begins next Friday in Paris, US Figure Skating said in Colorado Springs on Friday.

Cohen, who suffers from tendonitis in her right calf, has not competed since the 2006 World Figure Skating Championships where she finished a disappointing third.

Sasha Cohen of the U.S. performs her free skate at the World Figure Skating Championships in  Calgary March 25, 2006.  (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

After a three-year absence, she recently announced her return to competition to try and qualify for the Vancouver Winter Games next February.

Cohen hopes to be ready for the Skate America slated for November 12-15 in Lake Placid, New York.

"I was looking forward to competing in Paris, and I'm sorry I won't be there," Cohen said. "However, I'm still excited about the rest of the season and am looking forward to competing in Lake Placid."