Mirai Nagasu was left off the women’s figure skating team for Sochi

Mirai Nagasu was left off the women’s figure skating team for Sochi on Sunday, leapfrogged by Ashley Wagner despite finishing third at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Through U.S. Figure Skating she released a statement Sunday night: “I’m disappointed in the decision,” she said. “Though I may not agree with it, I have to respect the decision the federation made. And I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me and look forward to what comes next in my skating career.”

On Sunday night, she skated at the exhibition gala and was greeted by cheers from the crowd.

Earlier Sunday, federation president Pat St. Peter explained the decision.

“This competition is not the only event that U.S. Figure Skating considers in selecting the team,” St. Peter said. “It’s the results and participation in events over the course of the past year-plus … and (Wagner) has the top credentials of any of our female athletes.”

Nagasu was the only one of the top four women who didn’t make a major error Saturday, and she said afterward that she hoped her Olympic experience would work in her favor. Just 16 in 2010, she finished fourth in Vancouver and, with her bubbly personality, bright smile and stunning natural talent, appeared poised to be the next big U.S. star.

“The only thing I can brag about now is that I ‘m the only person with Olympic experience. So I know how hard it can get,” Nagasu said Saturday night.

The three women representing #Sochi2014 in Women’s Figure Skating are Gracie Gold, Polina Edmunds and Ashley Wagner.

So sad for Mirai! So close! That has to be the worst! #MiraiEarnedIt

See our interview with Mirai when she was headed to the Vancouver Olympics!

Source USAToday