Two-time U.S. figure skating champion Gracie Gold shared an update Friday night regarding her 2018 competition plans.
"It breaks my heart to withdraw from the 2018 U.S. Championships,” Gold said in a statement to NBC News. “I am still undergoing treatment for depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. I have not had adequate training time in order to perform at the level at which I want to.”
Just last month the Olympic athlete revealed her ongoing psychological struggles after breaking from her strenuous training program in September.
“It pains me to not compete in this Olympic season, but I know it's for the best,” Gold said. “I wish everyone the best of luck and will be cheering you all on. I want to thank everyone for the ongoing love and support. It means the world to me."
Gold’s mental health began to take a toll on her performances when she finished in sixth place at the national championships last year and failed to qualify for the world championships for the first time in 5 years.
Before revealing her own personal history, Gold sat down with TODAY Style in July to talk about maintaining body confidence in a largely subjective, beauty-centered sport.
"Definitely athletes in the spotlight — figure skaters, especially — are under pressure to fit a certain mold, and fit a certain body type," said Gold, who lives in Canton, Michigan.
"It can be a lot, the perfect, airbrushed models and the Hadids and the Jenners," Gold said. "But I think you just have to let it go. You just have to be the best you. I just look at myself and try to be better. The more you look at other people, the more unhappy you'll be."
The figure skating community, body confidence advocates and Gold’s friends, fans and family all support the athlete’s decision.