China's top speed skater to recover from injury soon

BEIJING, Jan. 8 -- Chinese top speed skater Wang Meng's hand injury will not affect the Olympic champion's preparation for next month's Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Zhao Yinggang, director to the Chinese Winter Sports Administrative Center, told Xinhua on Friday that Wang's hand cut didnot prevent her from daily training and she would be back on court in no more than 10 days.

"Wang had planned to take part in the ongoing national championships here at the Capital Gymnasium, even after she got injured four days before the Beijing event," said Zhao.

The 24-year-old Wang, who won the women's 500 meters short track speed skating in Durin Winter Olympic Games four years ago, accidentally cut the skin between thumb and index finger of her left hand while grinding a skate blade on Sunday and had nine stitches in hospital.

Luckily, the small cut would not force the leading skater to change her schedule on preparing for the Vancouver Winter Olympics, slated on Feb. 12-28 in the Canadian west coast city.

"Wang is going on with her preparations, and she just skipped the Beijing event on doctor's advice," said Wang's coach Li Yan.

The short track speed skating national championships, on Jan. 7-10, have been reckoned a practice run for China's leading short track skaters, especially the ones to cover the Vancouver Winter Games.

Wang, who also have ankle injuries, was told to be away from the competition so as to avoid any further injury. She kept her physical training at the normal level after the cut.

"I am the one being highly expected to win another Olympic short track gold medal in Vancouver, and I take the responsibility very seriously," said Wang at Thursday's press conference after explaining her injury and withdrawal from the national event.

Wang is the only member of China's short track team for Vancouver, who attended previous Winter Olympic Games.