Polish Olympic champion Stoch may miss Beijing Winter Olympics due to injury

WARSAW - Poland's star ski jumper Kamil Stoch caught a ligament injury, which leaves his participation at the Beijing Winter Olympics in question, the team's doctor Aleksander Winiarski revealed on Wednesday.

For the three-time Olympic champion the current season seems to be a nightmare. Stoch couldn't find his best shape and it will be even more difficult for him to stand on the podium in Beijing as the 34-year-old was injured during training in Zakopane, Poland.

On Wednesday, the Polish Ski Association announced that Stoch will miss the FIS World Cup race in Zakopane which are scheduled for January 14-16. Stoch is against the clock to get in shape with less than a month to the Olympic competition.

"This is a strong sprain of the joint with damage to the articular capsule and torn ligaments. Fortunately, the bones are intact. I can confirm there is no chance of competing in the World Cup in Zakopane," Winiarski explained in an interview with local media on Wednesday.

"We will do what is possible to make Kamil recover as soon as possible. Maybe we will be able to help him with recovering before the Olympics. There is little time, but not so little to dismiss this," Winiarski added.

The coach of the team Michal Dolezal ensured that Stoch will find his place in the Olympic team as "they will be fighting until the end."

"I'm sure that Kamil will be in the squad for the Olympics. However, if something is wrong with the ankle, we will make a change at the last minute. I have chosen the team for the Olympics in my head. We will take five athletes and we will announce the line-up after the competitions in Zakopane. I haven't talked to the doctor yet, but I heard that there is hope for Kamil's training before Beijing," the Czech concluded.