A doctor in the Chinese delegation confirmed that the injury to the Olympic pairs silver medallist Zhang Dan had been diagnosed as ligament strain in her left knee.

"We took Zhang Dan to a local hospital this morning and had a full check-up. The result was quite optimistic. There is a ligament strain in her left knee," Ji Chunnan, the doctor in the Chinese delegation told Xinhua on Tuesday.

Zhang Dan injured her left knee when attempting a throw quadruple salchow. She opened the jump too early, came out forward and fell hard, hitting her knee and sliding into the boards.

"There is still pain in my knee, but I felt better now. The doctor advised me no walking in five days," Zhang said in the Olympic Village.

Zhang Dan and her partner Zhan Hao started again to skate after the interruption of their performance, picking up 125.01 points, slightly more than their previous personal best of 124.36 points and defended their second place with a total of 189.73 points.

"Her injury will require at least two weeks off, and gradual resumption of skating and rehabilitation that could take up to one month," Ji said.

"I hope the injury will be healed in time to compete at the 2006 World Championships," Zhang Dan said.

The World Championships will be held in Calgary, Canada from March 20-26.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2006)