China's diving prince Tian Liang is expelled from the national team for "violating the team's disciplines manytimes". (Xinhua)

Chinese Olympic diving champion Tian Liang was dropped from the national team Wednesday because he signed business contracts without official approval, according to news reports.

Tian, 25, will return to his local team in northern Shaanxi province after the China Swimming Association made the decision, according to the Sina.com Web site.

The report did not say what deals Tian had signed or if the move was permanent .

Tian, who won a gold medal in Athens for synchronized platform diving, pleaded fatigue after the Olympics and was granted a six-month leave of absence in October, Sina.com said.

During that time, it said he "participated in commercial activities, some of which were not approved by the swimming association."

The site quoted Li Hua, the organization's director, as saying that officials had spoken to Tian, who said that he "didn't have a deep knowledge of the regulations."

"Tian is not strict with himself and has a negative effect on society," the Sina.com report said, quoting an unidentified official from the swimming association. "Despite repeated warnings, he refused to change and admit his mistakes."

(Agencies)

permanent: continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place（永久的）