Chinese Athletics Association (CAA) president Duan Shijie said here on Tuesday that he will be satisfied if star hurdler Liu Xiang wins a medal of any color at the London Olympic Games. Duan, who was re-elected as the CAA chief on Tuesday, said, I think Liu is much more mature. And he has healthier well from damage and has maintain good form this season. I am convinced that he will achieve good result if he has a normal race. That will be an ideal ending for his career.
I think everybody will be content whatever medal - gold, silver or bronze - he wins because he has spared no efforts in his sport.The 28-year-old Liu, a former world record holder in the men's 110m hurdles, became China's most famous athlete after winning gold at the 2004 Olympic Games and 2007 Osaka world championship.
But he winced in pain and limp off the track during the men's 110m hurdles first heat at the Beijing Games, leaving the 60,000-plus spectators at the Bird's Nest stadium and millions of home audience watching in front of television in shock.
Three years after his sudden withdrawal with the Achilles injury, Liu regained honor after dramatically taking silver at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu this August. Disrupted by Dayron Robles of Cuba running next lane at the last hurdles, Liu only claim silver in 13.27, but he had already proved his competitiveness for London.
Although elected as commissary of CAA at the Congress, Liu did not show up in the meeting room. According to Feng Shuyong, head coach of the Chinese track and field team, Liu is still enjoying his two-week long training camp in USA and will return to Shanghai on Wednesday for further specialized training.
There are two purposes for Liu's training camp in USA,said Feng.First, he can have a relatively 'quiet' atmosphere for physical restoring. Secondly, docs and medical expert in USA can have a complete evaluation on his recovering conditions.
We know Liu has adapted to a new technique of imminent the first hurdle with seven steps and he still need to polish his new technique. After returning to Shanghai, he will continue to work on that during the winter training session,Feng added.
Although Liu Xiang is the flag-bearer of China's athletics, he is not the only hope in London. China's Li Yanfeng in women's discus, hammer thrower Zhang Wenxiu and a bunch of young walk racers will share Liu's burden in charge for medals in London.
The 32-year-old Li Yanfeng claimed her first world contest title with 66.52 meters in the women's discus throw in Daegu and in Duan's mind winning a medal in London will not be a difficult for the veteran.
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