The Beijing Olympics lost one of its major attractions when Maria Sharapova pulled out of the tennis tournament with a shoulder injury.
The Russian world number three sustained the injury in beating Marta Domachowska of Poland at the WTA tournament in Montreal and immediately underwent an MRI scan to determine the extent of the problem.
The result was not encouraging and Sharapova told her official Web site of her disappointment.
"I'm currently packing up real quick to hop on a plane to New York for a second opinion (on the injury) but I wanted to let you all know first that there is no chance of me competing in Beijing," she said.
"The timing is so unfortunate and this makes me more sad than anything."
It is another shattering setback for 21-year Sharapova who started the year with a brilliant victory at the Australian Open but has since been struggling with injury and loss of form.
Wednesday's match in Montreal was her first since a disappointing exit from Wimbledon.
"After Wednesday's match I knew there was something seriously wrong with my shoulder," she added on her Web site.
Sharapova's appearance in the final grand slam of the season at the U.S. Open, which takes place almost immediately after the Beijing Games, must also be in serious doubt.
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