Double world champion in figure skating Maxim Staviiski ends his career.

He is the defendant in a trial in which he is accused of having caused a car crash in which one man was killed and three were injured. Blood tests showed that Staviiski had drunk alcohol. If he is found guilty, he could face three to 10 years in prison.

“I can not think of my career. Everyone tells me not to stop, to go on, but I do not see how is that possible,” Staviiski said, as quoted by Focus news agency.

“I kept silent so far because of the investigation, but believe me, it was not easy.” I am not looking for justifications, only for understanding and advice. “I realise I am guilty,” he said.

Staviiski also said that he could not look people in the eyes, that he felt miserable and helpless. “I am ready to bear any punishment,” he said.

He and his partner Albena Denkova cancelled all their engagements, except for the contracts signed before the crash on August 5 2007.

Denkova said that “there is no future for us, we live only in the present.” Obviously plans are one thing and reality, something completely different, she said.