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

Team doctor Rene Tour told Swedish broadcaster SVT that the nerve is causing pain in Alshammar's neck and right shoulder.

Tour says: "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, a two-time Olympic silver medalist, is considered one of the top contenders in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle sprints. She will miss the 4x100 freestyle relay because of the injury.

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