Skater gets ban for criticising coach

BEIJING - CHINA'S Olympic gold-medal speedskater Wang Meng has been punished for criticising her coach at the Asian Winter Games in January.

She has been banned from the two world championships this month for criticising new team coach Li Yan.

Wang, who won Olympic gold in the 500-metre short-track event at the 2006 Turin Olympics, will miss the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships and the World Team Championships.

'Wang Meng's improper comments about the team's head coach had a negative effect on the whole team,' said a statement from the Winter Sports Administrative Centre yesterday.

'The centre has asked her to reflect deeply on her mistakes and make a written apology.'

Wang, one of only four Chinese winter athletes to have won an Olympic gold, is something of a maverick and China's sports officials are notoriously unforgiving of public criticism.

'It was irresponsible to make such remarks,' the 21-year-old athlete said in her apology.

'My mistakes tarnished the image of the team.

'I'm so sorry. I accept the punishment.'

Li, who once coached the US team, said she would try out younger skaters at this month's world championships in Italy and the team championships in Hungary.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, REUTERS