Injured Wang Meng likely to miss Sochi Olympics

Wang Meng of China celebrates as she won the women's 1000m final at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Debrecen March 10, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Four-time Olympic short track speedskating champion Wang Meng probably will miss the Sochi Winter Games after she sustained a serious ankle injury on Thursday.

Wang was diagnosed with tibia abd fibula fractures in her right ankle in the Shanghai Huashan Hospital and doctors said she has to receive an internal fixation surgery.

A sport medicine expert said the athlete will rest at least six weeks, which means Wang will lose the chance to defend her 500 meters, 1,000m and 3,000m relay titles in Sochi Games about four weeks away.

"If she recieves this kind of surgery, Wang will have to be sidelined for at least six to eight weeks," said Liu Yasen, Chinese weightlifting team doctor.

Zhao Yinggang, head of the Chinese winter sports administration, said Wang picked up the injury when she collided with a teammate during training.

"She clashed with a teammate when she made a turn during the team's intensive training," said Zhao.

Wang is a favorite in the women's 500 meters which she won in 2006 and 2010 Games. She also claimed the 1,000m and 3,000m relay titles in 2010.

The women's 500m starts on Feb. 10 when the semifinals of 3,000m relay also takes place.