(XINHUA)

The Chinese short-track speed skater Wang Meng will finally return to the track after the lifting of a 13-month ban for a notorious brawl with a national short track team manager.

Wang was suspended from the national team and banned from domestic and international competitions last August for punching team leader Wang Chunlu during a scuffle after breaking the team curfew and coming back to the team base drunk. After being expelled, Wang returned to her hometown to practice with the provincial team, self-reflect and accept her punishment.

Wang became a household name in China after claiming four gold medals in the past two Winter Olympics. Her outspoken manner has caused trouble for the national team's management. Last year's debacle was not the first time she's been penalized. She was also kicked off the team in 2007 after a public conflict with head coach Li Yan.