(XINHUA)

China's four-time Winter Olympic gold medalist Wang Meng has been expelled from the National Short Track Speed-Skating Team and banned from domestic and international competitions after she became involved in a drunken brawl with the team manager. The decision was made by the General Administration of Sport, China's sports governing body. Male speed skater Liu Xianwei was also expelled.

On July 24, Wang and five teammates returned to their training camp in Qingdao, Shandong Province, late and drunk, breaking a curfew and violating a team ban on drinking. They were seriously criticized by the team manager, which later led to a violent and bloody confrontation. Wang's expulsion has triggered disputes around the nation since she said the manager threw the first punch.

Wang is China's most crowned short track speed-skater. She won three gold medals at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games in 2010 and a gold medal at the Turin Games in 2006. She was named China's Female Athlete of the Year for 2010 by national broadcaster CCTV.