Robles disqualified after bumping Liu
Source: Agencies |
August 30, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Cuban Dayron Robles was stripped of his 110-meter hurdles gold medal after barging past China's Liu Xiang to win the world championships final yesterday.
American Jason Richardson, who finished second after Liu stumbled over the final hurdle, was installed as world champion with the Chinese handed silver and Briton Andy Turner bronze.
For a second successive night of high drama at the Daegu Stadium after Usain Bolt's false start in the 100 meters, one of the most highly-anticipated races of the championships was decided by a disqualification.
Robles, the 24-year-old world record-holder and Olympic champion, made contact with Liu at least twice on his way to crossing the line first in 13.14 seconds.
Liu tripped on the last hurdle, a rarity for the 2007 world champion, and was only able to finish third in 13.27 behind Richardson, who crossed the line in 13.16.
"Robles hit me twice, at the ninth hurdle he pulled at me but I'm sure it wasn't intentional," Liu told reporters.
"I lost my balance when I came to the 10th hurdle because of the bump. If not for the incident, I would been the gold medallist."
The pair embraced after the race but the Chinese team later lodged a protest under the rule outlawing "obstruction on the track", resulting in Robles being disqualified and Richardson being handed the gold.
"I am really sorry about the situation," Liu added after he was bumped up to silver. "I am good friends with Robles. What I like is a happy competition, I don't know what else to say."
A Cuban appeal was later dismissed by a jury of investigation, who studied the video of the race. Robles left the stadium without making a comment to reporters.
"I wish that under different circumstances he could keep the medal but rules are rules," said the 25-year-old Richardson.
"Anything can happen in track and field if you just do your best and stay in your name. I am so thankful to be the gold medallist. I truly believe I can break Robles's world record (of 12.87 seconds)."
It was a disappointing end to the race for Liu, who was starting to return to his best form after three years of misery and injury since he limped out of the heats at the Beijing Olympics.
Robles, who has also had his fair share of injuries over the last couple of years, got away to a great start from lane five and raced to the lead over the first five hurdles.
Liu, next to him in lane six, was gaining ground all the time, though, and looked like surging past until the Cuban's hand appeared to claw him back, allowing Robles and Richardson to beat him to the line.
"That's hurdling, it happens all the time, it just so happens that this time it happened to the two fastest hurdlers ever at the world championship," said four-time world champion Allen Johnson, who described the contest as a "great, great race".
American David Oliver, the fastest man this year, hit the second hurdle and was never in the race, slumping home in fifth, later upgraded to fourth, in 13.44.
American Jason Richardson, who finished second after Liu stumbled over the final hurdle, was installed as world champion with the Chinese handed silver and Briton Andy Turner bronze.
For a second successive night of high drama at the Daegu Stadium after Usain Bolt's false start in the 100 meters, one of the most highly-anticipated races of the championships was decided by a disqualification.
Robles, the 24-year-old world record-holder and Olympic champion, made contact with Liu at least twice on his way to crossing the line first in 13.14 seconds.
Liu tripped on the last hurdle, a rarity for the 2007 world champion, and was only able to finish third in 13.27 behind Richardson, who crossed the line in 13.16.
"Robles hit me twice, at the ninth hurdle he pulled at me but I'm sure it wasn't intentional," Liu told reporters.
"I lost my balance when I came to the 10th hurdle because of the bump. If not for the incident, I would been the gold medallist."
The pair embraced after the race but the Chinese team later lodged a protest under the rule outlawing "obstruction on the track", resulting in Robles being disqualified and Richardson being handed the gold.
"I am really sorry about the situation," Liu added after he was bumped up to silver. "I am good friends with Robles. What I like is a happy competition, I don't know what else to say."
A Cuban appeal was later dismissed by a jury of investigation, who studied the video of the race. Robles left the stadium without making a comment to reporters.
"I wish that under different circumstances he could keep the medal but rules are rules," said the 25-year-old Richardson.
"Anything can happen in track and field if you just do your best and stay in your name. I am so thankful to be the gold medallist. I truly believe I can break Robles's world record (of 12.87 seconds)."
It was a disappointing end to the race for Liu, who was starting to return to his best form after three years of misery and injury since he limped out of the heats at the Beijing Olympics.
Robles, who has also had his fair share of injuries over the last couple of years, got away to a great start from lane five and raced to the lead over the first five hurdles.
Liu, next to him in lane six, was gaining ground all the time, though, and looked like surging past until the Cuban's hand appeared to claw him back, allowing Robles and Richardson to beat him to the line.
"That's hurdling, it happens all the time, it just so happens that this time it happened to the two fastest hurdlers ever at the world championship," said four-time world champion Allen Johnson, who described the contest as a "great, great race".
American David Oliver, the fastest man this year, hit the second hurdle and was never in the race, slumping home in fifth, later upgraded to fourth, in 13.44.
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