Olympic champion Luo 'not retiring'

China's head swimming coach Zhang Yadong has dismissed reports that Olympic champion Luo Xuejuan is to retire because of poor health. Luo, who turns 23 today, won the 100m breaststroke gold at the Athens Olympics but has struggled with form and fitness...

China's head swimming coach Zhang Yadong has dismissed reports that Olympic champion Luo Xuejuan is to retire because of poor health.

Luo, who turns 23 today, won the 100m breaststroke gold at the Athens Olympics but has struggled with form and fitness over the last couple of years.

"Luo does have some health problems but I've never heard she is going to retire," Zhang was quoted as saying in yesterday's China Daily.

"We will make some changes to our 2008 team if she announces her retirement before the Games, but right now I am not even thinking about it."

After being given two months off last July, Luo returned to winning ways at the Asian Games trials, but missed the trip to Doha after fainting during training in November.

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