Olympic champion speed skater Wang Meng will be banned from competing at the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships and World Team Championships later this month.

The punishment, announced on Saturday by the Winter Sports Administrative Center, followed Wang's attack on new team coach Li Yan during the Asian Winter Games in January.

"Wang Meng's improper comments about the team's head coach during the Asian Games had a negative effect on the whole team. The center has asked her to reflect deeply on the mistakes and make a written apology," said a statement from the Center.

An irate Wang threatened to quit the team after her bronze medal in the women's short track 1,500m, blaming Li for a lack of race tactics.

"I will apply for training back in my local team after the Winter Asiad, since the arrangements of the coach are not suitable for me," she said at the time.

Li formerly coached American short track star Apolo Anton Ohno, before beginning working with the national team last May.

"I have to pay for my unwise behavior during the Asian Games. It was irresponsible to make such remarks. My mistakes tarnished the image of the team. I'm so sorry. I accept the punishment imposed on me," said Wang in her apology.  "I will learn lessons from the mistake and work even harder in the future."

The time for the 21-year-old's return to the national team has not been set.

"She is still young and has a great future," said coach Li. "The target of my coming to coach China is the 2010 Winter Olympics. Wang's absence will give more opportunities to other teenager skaters."

The ban on Wang is still a blow to China's prospects at the Worlds since the young star was the 500m short track speed skating gold medalist at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games and the top-ranked in the country.

However, officials insist the verdict was moderate.

"I don't think it is a harsh punishment," said Tong Lixin, director of the Center's Short Track Speed Skating Department. "The center took proper measures to deal with the problem. I hope Wang will grow up after the punishment and achieve better results in the future."

China will dispatch five men and women skaters to the World Championships, running from March 16-18 in Italy, before moving on to the World Team Championships in Hungary from March 25-26.

(China Daily March 5, 2007)