China's Olympic champion Han Xiaopeng will skip the freestyle skiing World Cup events to be held on Friday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, organizers said on Thursday.

Ren Hongguo, director of Winter Sports Center of China's State General Administration of Sports, said that Han was forced out for left knee injury sustained in recent trainings.

"He is still recovering from the injury," Ren said. "His coach decided to pull out for preparing for future events."

The World Cup will be held in Mountain Lotus Skifield, with 48 skiers from over 11 countries and regions participating.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2008)