Surgery hurts Brazilian champion gymnast's Olympic preparation

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Two-time world champion gymnast Diego Hypolito underwent a surgery on Tuesday, which is an obstacle to the athlete's preparation for the Beijing Olympics.

"It will obviously harm (Hypolito's preparation). He will miss practices, and practicing is always important. He will have to get over it," said Coach Renato Araujo.

The gymnast was operated in a hospital in Rio, where physicians fixed a rupture in the medial meniscus of his right knee. The procedure took approximately 80 minutes and was "successful," according to Orthopedist Doctor Joao Granjeiro Neto, who carried out the surgery.

"I believe that he will be able to return to practice in four to six weeks' time," said Granjeiro Neto, who is also a member of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB, in Portuguese). The doctor assured that the operation will not threaten Hypolito's participation in the Beijing Games.

Hypolito won two world championship gold medals in 2005 and 2007, both in the floor exercise. He is also the younger brother of Daniele Hypolito, the first Brazilian gymnast ever to win a medal at the world championships of artistic gymnastics.