China's Olympic 5,000 metres champion Wang Junxia has pulled out of the World championships in Athens, citing illness and personal problems, a Chinese Athletics Association (CAA) official said yesterday. Wang, who also took silver in the 10,000 in Atlanta will not compete in Athens even if the IAAF gives her a wild card. Wang was not included in the 27-member Chinese team named Monday.

"She quit training after the Olympics and took part in no competitions since last October," the Chinese official said. "We heard that she was bothered by a constant headache and some other private problems. Her coach hopes she can come back next year," he added.

It was also revealed that the 23year-old world 10,000 metres record holder still holds a grudge against her former coach and mentor, Ma Junren, who guided her to the 10,000 title at the 1993

World Championships. Ma still refuses to give Wang the car she won as a prize at that event.

Wang walked out on Ma after the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, and has been coached ever since by Mao Dezhen. However, Mao revealed recently that the track star, a national hero in China, had lost her motivation after Atlanta and wanted to retire.