updated 6:33 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2004

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Natalie Coughlin, who won five medals at the Athens Olympics, withdrew Friday from next week’s world short course swimming championships because of a training injury.

Coughlin has a stress fracture in her left foot. She was injured Wednesday during training and is expected to wear a support boot for six weeks, USA Swimming said Friday.

“I’m very disappointed to be injured at all, but especially disappointed to have it happen right before short course worlds,” she said. “I was looking forward to the meet.”

Coughlin became the third American woman to win five swimming medals in an Olympics. She won gold in the 100-meter backstroke and swam the leadoff leg on the winning 800 free relay that broke a 17-year-old record. She also won two silvers and a bronze.

The world short course meet is Oct. 7-11 in Indianapolis. Michael Phelps, who won a record eight medals in Athens, is scheduled to compete in six events.