Johnson talks up Liu's chances in London
Source: Agencies |
June 4, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
VETERAN American hurdler Allen Johnson said on Wednesday that injury-battling Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang could still be a contender at the 2012 London Games.
"I don't see why not. It's still two years away," Johnson, the 1996 Olympic 110 meters hurdles gold medallist, said in a telephone interview from his Irmo, South Carolina training base, on Wednesday.
"(Liu's problems) will pass in time, it's just a matter of working through," said Johnson, who like Liu underwent tendon surgery in 2008.
"A surgery like that, you are going to be 90 percent (recovered) within the first couple of months. But to get back to where you were before, it's going to take a good two years," said the 39-year-old Johnson.
"I am still recovering. My (left) ankle probably will never be 100 percent," said the four-time world outdoor champion. "I limp every morning when I wake up.
"If he (Liu) is going through anything like what I went going through, I'm not surprised he has having some residual issues."
Liu, forced out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by an Achilles injury, has struggled to be in top form since his surgery.
He lost to a compatriot for the first time in a major competition at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting last month and said after the third-place finish that London felt like a distant story.
"I just need to start with the most trivial things in my training without expecting too much for London," said the 2004 Olympic champion and former world record holder.
Desire will play a big role in any Liu return, Johnson said.
"He will come back if he wants to," said the American, whom Liu has long admired. "He ran 13.15 last September. So he still has it.
"Hurdling is something that you can do for a long time.
"As long as your heart is still there and you are willing to put in the work, you can always come back and be a factor."
"I don't see why not. It's still two years away," Johnson, the 1996 Olympic 110 meters hurdles gold medallist, said in a telephone interview from his Irmo, South Carolina training base, on Wednesday.
"(Liu's problems) will pass in time, it's just a matter of working through," said Johnson, who like Liu underwent tendon surgery in 2008.
"A surgery like that, you are going to be 90 percent (recovered) within the first couple of months. But to get back to where you were before, it's going to take a good two years," said the 39-year-old Johnson.
"I am still recovering. My (left) ankle probably will never be 100 percent," said the four-time world outdoor champion. "I limp every morning when I wake up.
"If he (Liu) is going through anything like what I went going through, I'm not surprised he has having some residual issues."
Liu, forced out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by an Achilles injury, has struggled to be in top form since his surgery.
He lost to a compatriot for the first time in a major competition at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting last month and said after the third-place finish that London felt like a distant story.
"I just need to start with the most trivial things in my training without expecting too much for London," said the 2004 Olympic champion and former world record holder.
Desire will play a big role in any Liu return, Johnson said.
"He will come back if he wants to," said the American, whom Liu has long admired. "He ran 13.15 last September. So he still has it.
"Hurdling is something that you can do for a long time.
"As long as your heart is still there and you are willing to put in the work, you can always come back and be a factor."
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