Liu Xiang has been forced out of the 110m hurdles at the first hurdle (apologies), due to a leg injury. Round 1 of his event began this morning, and, but not before rumours were fluttering around the Bird’s Nest that he was injured. The crowd were on edge, but when Liu valliently came out for his heat it seemed at first that the fears were in fact unfounded. However Liu’s race ended before it had begun, as at a false start he pulled up unable to clear the first barrier. As the other racers returned to their marks Liu had to admit defeat…
Here is the live text coverage as it happened from the BBC (time is BST = Beijing +7):
0451: This is going to end in tears – Liu Xiang walks out to a rapturous applause, only for a packed stadium to see their tyro pull up holding his Achilles after going through a warm-up sprint. He looks utterly gutted, but he’s only gone and pulled off his tracksuit bottoms – he’s going to run this – he’s only going to run this ruddy race!
0454: This is just horrible – Liu Xiang winces as he sets himself in the blocks, only to pull up after a false start. And that’s it – the white flag has been waved, the defending champion admits defeat and returns to the changing rooms. I don’t think the capacity crowd at the Bird’s Nest have actually understood what has just gone on.
It’s a bit soon to gage the reaction of the Chinese public to this sad, sad news. Bob’s colleagues are stunned, and fairly unwilling to talk about it. Won’t push it!
It’s worth remembering the huge amount of expectation on Liu; the 1# Chinese Olympic dream was to see Liu retain his gold, and he was even compared to Communist hero Lei Feng.
He clearly wanted to run so badly, he must have known that there was no real way that he could compete with his injury, but couldn’t bring himself to pull out until it was literally impossible to continue.
Just to compound a sad morning for Bob, one of Britain’s triple jump stars, and a former classmate of your truly, Nathan Douglas has not reached the qualifying distance for the final. Gutted.
Liu Xiang is a person to admire. He is/ and should be his country’s hero. That was great expectation’s. He was very injured – but still went out there. Alot of people will never know what that type of injury feels like. Or to know what it feels like to let down your entire country.
He embodie’s the olympic spirit. Compete and try under any circumstance. He is still a hero.
I am awed by his performance.
Do you think there is any truth in rumours that his withdrawl was akin to the Greek athletes who withdrew at Athens to avoid testing?
Just a thought.
Liu Xiang,
Our hero! We felt sad when we heard about your withdrawal from the Beijing Olympics. However, we want to let you know that you have already been the champion in the heart of the Chinese. We believe the Chinese will support you for better or worse and no one will blame you. Just take a break and recover from your injury. We’re looking forward to seeing you run on the field and get good results in the next Olympic Games.
You have done your best! Although it is quiet a disappointment to see you leave the Bird’s Nest, we all hope that you can recover rather than make your injury worse. We hope you’ll be able to join the Olympic Games four years later.
LIU XIANG!!! you are the most AMAZING person ever and I admire you so much. you inspire me whenever i run or jump hurdles, and I know the entire world will continue to support you no matter what!!!!!!