Zhang Dan and partner Zhang Hao took China's first Olympic figure skating silver despite having to interrupt their free skate when she fell in a split attempting a throw quadruple salchow seconds into their programme on Monday night.

The 20-year-old opened the jump too early, fell forward, and hit her knee as she crashed into the boards at the Palavela.

"We took Zhang Dan to a local hospital and had a full check-up. The result was quite optimistic. There is a ligament strain in her left knee," Ji Chunnan, the doctor in the Chinese delegation said.

Zhang and Zhang restarted their performance, earning 125.01 points, more than their previous personal best of 124.36 to hold their second place with a total of 189.73.

"Her injury will require at least two weeks off, and gradual resumption of skating and rehabilitation that could take up to one month," Ji said.

Zhang Dan said: "There is still pain in my knee, but I felt better now. The doctor advised me no walking for five days."

"I hope the injury will be healed in time to compete at the 2006 World Championships," she added.

Russian's Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin took the Olympic gold but as they will now retire, the way is open for the Zhangs to take gold at the World Championships in Calgary from March 20-26.

(AFP)

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