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Chinese four-time Olympic speedskating champion Wang Meng has suffered a fractured ankle during training in Shanghai, China on Thursday (16th January), just three weeks ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

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Four-time Olympic speedskating champion Wang Meng has suffered a fractured ankle, just three weeks ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

Wang, who suffered the injury whilst training in China, was taken to hospital in Shanghai, where specialists confirmed she needed surgery on her ankle.

The 28-year-old is one of the favourites for the the women's 500 metre event - which she won in 2006 and at the 2010 Winter Games.

Wang also claimed the 1,000-metre and 3000-metre relay titles in Vancouver four years ago.

The Winter Olympics take place in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi and begins on February 7th, so it appears that the injury will rule Wang Meng out of the competition.