Ski jump world champion Sarah Hendrickson has played down her chances of winning a medal at this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi following a recent injury.

The 19-year-old damaged her knee last summer in Oberstdorf, but was still named to the USA team for this year's Games, despite not having competed this season.

During training today, she reportedly requested a lower starting gate than the other jumpers.

"My coach and I decided," Hendrickson told reporters when discussing the switch. "I still have pain in my knee. There's no need to jump too far."

Asked about her medal chances, she responded: "It's hard to say, because this is ski jumping. The girls did very good jumps at the training. I just want to focus on myself and on my technique."

The Salt Lake City-born teenager is competing in her first Winter Olympics.