Swedish Olympic medal hope Therese Alshammar injured

Swedish team officials say swimmer Therese Alshammar may miss the London Olympics because of a pinched nerve in her neck, which would leave the country without one of its biggest medal hopes.

Olympics 2012 | Schedule | India at Olympics | Medals Tally

Team doctor Rene Tour told Swedish broadcaster SVT that the nerve is causing pain in Alshammar's neck and right shoulder, affecting the rotation of her arm.

Tour says that "if we can get the swelling down she should be able to swim, but if the nerve pain remains it's impossible to complete the rotation of the shoulder."

The 34-year-old Alshammar is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and was considered one of the top contenders in the 50-meter and 100 freestyle sprints. She will miss the 4x100 freestyle relay because of the injury.

Tour says Alshammar now has to "take one day at a time. This could pass in a few days, or last a couple of months."