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Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang's injury not serious, coach says
July 14, 2012, Saturday
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CHINA'S star hurdler Liu Xiang pulled out of Diamond League London GP finals for back injury yesterday. Liu's back injury is "not serious", his long-time coach Sun Haiping said.
"Liu Xiang felt a little uncomfortable in his back after the heat round," Sun said at south London's Crystal Palace stadium. " We decided to pull out of the finals just for the sake of caution. "
It's the first time for the Chinese hurdler to retire during the competition after his shock withdrawal from the Beijing Olympic Games semifinals in the Bird's Nest Stadium citing an Achilles injury.
Liu, running in his last competition on his 29th birthday, has been pinned high hopes as four years ago by Chinese fans to win a second gold medal following his victory in Athens 2004.
"I am still under a lot of pressure although I am away from home this time," he said on Thursday. "There are too much expectations from the fans."
The London Grand Prix should have been a perfect chance for him to warm up for the Olympics. Besides the weather, he could race against American duo Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson, two of the biggest threats in the Olympic Games.
Liu has maintained good form this season, beating Merritt and Richardson in Shanghai and Eugene Diamond League and registering a wind-assisted 12.87 seconds in Eugene, Oregon.
He had cruised into the 110m hurdles final after winning his heat in 13.27 seconds but failed to take his place on the start line for the final for the injury.
Merritt defied the cool, overcast conditions to equal his own season's fastest time of 12.93 seconds. Richardson was second in 13.06 and another American Ryan Wilson third in 13.18.
Liu will remain in London to prepare for the Olympic Games. The men's 110m hurdles title will be decided on August 8 at the Olympic Stadium.
Liu's personal best, the former world record of 12.88, is now six years old, and his last world title came in Osaka 2007.
But in London, he can cap a momentous comeback by claiming a second Olympic gold medal, along with retribution over Robles -- and, if the stars align, erase the Cuban's 12.87 from the record books.
"I hope to compete against him. But I want to say that every athlete is strong. He is only one," shrugged Liu about Robles. "I'm not so bad myself."
"Liu Xiang felt a little uncomfortable in his back after the heat round," Sun said at south London's Crystal Palace stadium. " We decided to pull out of the finals just for the sake of caution. "
It's the first time for the Chinese hurdler to retire during the competition after his shock withdrawal from the Beijing Olympic Games semifinals in the Bird's Nest Stadium citing an Achilles injury.
Liu, running in his last competition on his 29th birthday, has been pinned high hopes as four years ago by Chinese fans to win a second gold medal following his victory in Athens 2004.
"I am still under a lot of pressure although I am away from home this time," he said on Thursday. "There are too much expectations from the fans."
The London Grand Prix should have been a perfect chance for him to warm up for the Olympics. Besides the weather, he could race against American duo Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson, two of the biggest threats in the Olympic Games.
Liu has maintained good form this season, beating Merritt and Richardson in Shanghai and Eugene Diamond League and registering a wind-assisted 12.87 seconds in Eugene, Oregon.
He had cruised into the 110m hurdles final after winning his heat in 13.27 seconds but failed to take his place on the start line for the final for the injury.
Merritt defied the cool, overcast conditions to equal his own season's fastest time of 12.93 seconds. Richardson was second in 13.06 and another American Ryan Wilson third in 13.18.
Liu will remain in London to prepare for the Olympic Games. The men's 110m hurdles title will be decided on August 8 at the Olympic Stadium.
Liu's personal best, the former world record of 12.88, is now six years old, and his last world title came in Osaka 2007.
But in London, he can cap a momentous comeback by claiming a second Olympic gold medal, along with retribution over Robles -- and, if the stars align, erase the Cuban's 12.87 from the record books.
"I hope to compete against him. But I want to say that every athlete is strong. He is only one," shrugged Liu about Robles. "I'm not so bad myself."
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