NAGANO, Japan -- Tanja Szewczenko's hard luck streak forced her out of the Olympics on Sunday with the flu.

Szewczenko, who was staging a strong comeback from a viral illness and assorted injuries, took sick the day after the opening ceremony. She was bed-ridden for five days with a high fever.

She finally returned to the practice sessions on Saturday, but quickly realized she'd lost too much strength to be competitive.

"THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST decisions I've had to make in my career," coach Peter Jonas said. "It is made in accordance with the German skating federation and with Tanja. It was like a cement block off her shoulders.

"We came here to fight for a medal, but there would be no shame if we did not win a medal. But it would be a catastrophe if the health of Tanja was endangered."

Jonas said Szewczenko, second in the Champions Series final to Tara Lipinski, would set her sights on the world championships in Minneapolis from March 31-April 5.

Szewczenko, 20, was having an excellent season. She won the Nation's Cup in Germany and the prestigious NHK Trophy at the White Ring arena being used in the Olympics. After finishing behind Lipinski at the Champions Series final, she was third at the European championships.

Her revival was inspirational.

SZEWCZENKO HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE for nearly three seasons following the Lillehammer Olympics, where she made news not for finishing sixth, but for a practice-session collision with Oksana Baiul on the day before the women's free skate.

Baiul was cut on the leg, but recovered to win the gold medal. Szewczenko damaged her shoulder and hip.

Then followed more injuries and, in 1996, a mysterious viral infection that effectively sidelined her for 20 months.

"Last year, I didn't know if I'd be able to skate again," she said on the day before the opening ceremony. "I was really surprised to do this well; I had no expectations for this season."

ALTHOUGH SHE ADMITTED TO FEELING "really tired in January," Szewczenko said she felt better when she got to Japan. She came to Nagano as a strong contender for a medal, probably bronze. Now, those hopes are gone.

"Tanja has made a very good comeback," said Jonas, who added this illness has nothing to do with her previous ailment. "This week was very tough, but we want this comeback to continue.

"She tried practice and it did not work. She had no power and no condition. This would not have been a good performance."