Initial testing revealed damage to a ligament in the ankle but an MRI confirmed that damage was in fact a torn ligament. "Dario will have surgery on Friday and is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks," said team physician Patrick Noack.

"This injury hurts not only physically but also mentally. For an optimal pre-season I was looking forward to the season opener in Kuusamo. However, I will now stay calm, work with our medical specialists on a rehabilitation program and then build back my training for the Olympic Games in Sochi, "said Cologna.

Leading into the Vancouver Games in 2010, Cologna suffered a torn muscle in his upper leg in pre-season training and still managed to claim a gold medal. "Since the training base of Dario is very good, we will make the most of the rehabilitation phase and then see a strong return to the World Cup," states Swiss Ski team head coach Guri Hetland.

Source: the official FIS site