Chinese short track speed skater Wang Meng – who is a four-time Olympic champion – might have to miss the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Meng sustained a serious ankle injury on February 6, 2014. The famous skater has been diagnosed with tibia and fibula fractures in her right ankle at the Huashan Hospital in Shanghai.
Doctors have said that the skater needs to undergo an internal fixation surgery. Meanwhile, a sport medicine expert noted that Wang needs to rest at least six weeks, which means that she will have to give up on the chance to defend her previous successes in the 500 meters, 1,000 meters and 3,000 meters relays at the 2014 Winter Olympics, which is just four weeks away.
Liu Yasen, the Chinese weightlifting team doctor said, “If she receives this kind of surgery, Wang will have to be sidelined for at least six to eight weeks”. Zhao Yinggang, the head of the Chinese winter sports administration said that Wang was injured when she collided with a teammate during practice sessions.
Yinggang went on to say that she clashed with her team mate when she was making a turn during intensive training sessions. Wang is popular in the women’s 500 meters, which she won in 2006 and 2010 Games. In 2010, the athlete also claimed the titles of 1,000 meters and 3,000 meters relay.
Photo Credits: CBC
