Outcry at preferential treatment for athletes

Officials deny offering free care, but admit to 'green channel' services

A Shanghai hospital and the city's sports authority on Wednesday denied claims they provide free medical services and preferential treatment to the city's elite athletes.

Huashan Hospital and the Shanghai Sports Bureau have been under fire since they supposedly reached an agreement last week under which 23 world champions, including 110m hurdler Liu Xiang, and four outstanding coaches, will be entitled to a lifetime of free medical services and exempted from paying medical insurance.