TORONTO - Former Olympic skater Emanuel Sandhu says he struggled with his decision to focus on a dance career instead of on-ice competition, but is proud that his dedication has paid off with a coveted spot in the Top 10 of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada."

Sandhu says he'll be cheering Canada's skating hopefuls from the sidelines when the Winter Games come to his hometown of Vancouver, and says that his newfound success on the CTV series won't keep him from one day returning to competitive skating.

"I don't think I could ever turn my back on my skating, like I could never turn my back on my dance career," Sandhu said Thursday, a day after the results episode named him as one of the 10 finalists.

"It's just too much a part of the fabric of who I am and a part of my identity.... It was a very, very difficult decision to step back from my skating career. I haven't given up my eligibility as an athlete, but even to just take a couple of seasons off, it was a huge decision to me."

"I'm supporting all of Canadian athletes, I know what it's like to be in the trenches."

Sandhu stepped away from competitive skating two years ago after a disappointing showing at the world figure skating championships. He went on to pursue singing and acting gigs, including a failed bid to land in the Top 20 of the first season of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada."

The 28-year-old says that experience only made him more determined to land a spot in Season 2, although Sandhu continued to perform at ice shows and questioned whether he should pursue Olympic glory instead.

"That thought certainly crossed my mind but then I had to ask myself, 'OK, what ingredients do I need to become a champion?' " said Sandhu, a classically trained ballet dancer.

"If you cannot commit to your training as an Olympic athlete you will not succeed.... I knew in my heart that I couldn't at this point get myself in the mind frame or the focus or the dedication that I needed to continue my training as an Olympic athlete, that I needed to step back. It's not fair to represent a country and do it half-(hearted)."

Sandhu says he's been pushed by the dance series' weekly challenges, which involve styles ranging from dancehall, house, hip-hop, quick step, salsa and mambo, to capoeira.

Making the Top 10 guarantees Sandhu a spot on the tour set to follow the series finale. The other finalists include Amy Gardner and Tara-Jean Popowich from Alberta, Austin Di Iulio, Cody Bonnell, Everett Smith and Melanie Mah from Ontario, and Jayme Rae Dailey, Kim Gingras and Vincent Desjardins from Quebec.

Viewers vote for their choice as Canada's favourite dancer after each weekly performance, until just one will be left standing.

Bonnell, a 19-year-old hip hop dancer, says Sandhu has adapted well to the competition, but wonders if the seasoned athlete has had an advantage.

"He was already in the public eye so he kind of knows how the whole publicity thing works," Bonnell notes.

"For a lot of us this is our very first time doing interviews and doing press and stuff so for someone like him he might be more comfortable with it. But (at the same time), he might not be because it's (in) a totally different spectrum."

Sandhu said each competitor brings something unique to the show.

"I certainly think my skating background gives me a unique look perhaps, and a unique perspective in my approach to dance in the same way that my dance brought a unique approach and perspective to my skating."

"So You Think You Can Dance Canada" airs Tuesdays and Wednesday on CTV.