秦宏伟 - 2008-8-18 12:36:00
Liu, Chinese Hurdler, Pulls Out of Race
By LYNN ZINSER Published: August 18, 2008
BEIJING — Liu Xiang — the hurdler who has carried so many of China’s hopes for glory — limped off the track before the first round of the 110-meter hurdles Monday, costing him a chance to defend his stunning gold medal in this event.
Liu has been battling a sore hamstring this season and did not run his last two scheduled meets.
While warming up for his heat Monday morning, Liu went down to his knees and bowed his head. He looked to be walking around tentatively as he got ready to get in the starting blocks. When one of the runners in his lane committed a false start, Liu limped out of the blocks. He pulled off his race number and headed to the tunnel behind the starting line.
Liu’s appearance was one of the most anticipated events of these Olympics for the Chinese, and his absence from the world scene this season added significant drama.
Liu had followed his historic gold medal in 2004 by breaking the world record and winning a world championship. But after last year’s world title, Liu has had his world record surpassed by Cuba’s Dayron Robles and his hamstring injury has cost him most of this season. In his last two scheduled appearances, he was disqualified for a false start at the Prefontaine meet in Eugene, Ore., and he pulled out shortly before he was to run at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York in late May.
That put the drama into Monday’s start of the hurdles competition at the Olympics. Robles played his part, advancing to Tuesday night’s second round by winning the first heat in 13.39. Robles set the world record of 12.87 in June.
American Terrence Trammell, silver medalist in the past two Olympics, also did not complete the round. He pulled up before the second hurdle with an apparent injury to his left leg. He limped off the track slowly. He looked up into the crowd, pain and frustration etched in his face.
The other American contender, David Oliver, advanced easily, winning the second heat in 13.30.
There will be a round of the hurdles each day until the final on Thursday night.