Rising star diver Zhao Wei to miss world champioships
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-07-08 15:21

Chinese rising star diver Zhao Wei has been forced to withdraw from the world championships because of a left eye injury, a top official said here on Thursday.

The 16-year-old, who was selected to compete in the men's 10m synchronized platform in the Montreal world championships, had an eye injury aggravated during trainings last week and will have to receive an operation, said Zhou Jihong, team manager of the national team.

"He has felt uncomfortable for some time but paid little attention. On July 5, his situation became worse and he went to see the doctor, " Zhou said.

The former Olympic champion said: "We arranged him for an eye check on Wednesday in hospital and doctors said he will receive an immediate operation. And he will need half a year for recuperation."

"This is his first time to compete in the world championships. It is a great chance for him but now he has to miss it," Zhou said.

Zhou said Zhao's top goal is to dive in the 10th National Games to be held in Nanjing this September.

"We are quite sorry for him," Zhou said. "During this off-Olympic period, the world championships are quite golden chances for the youngsters. Zhao has prepared for a long time and he has proved his potential in the six FINA Grand Prix stages early this year."

In the Chinese diving team's "injury list", the latest one who did an eye operation was Olympic champion Guo Jingjing, who underwent a repair operation for right eye retina crack.

Sun Shuwei, the 1992 Olympic 10m platform champion, and Xu Yanmei, the 1988 Olympic champion in the same event, both received operations during their diving careers.

Zhao's partner Lin Yue was also forced to withdraw from the event and veterans Hu Jia and Yang Jinhui will take their places.

Hu and Yang, who have been preparing for the singles events, will thus compete in the synchronized event as well.

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