Day 11 Roundup: China on track to top finish, Liu Xiang apologizes for shock withdrawal

Source: Xinhua | 08-20-2008 07:19

BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- China looked set to knock the United States off the top of Olympics medal table as the hosts' gold juggernaut was in high gear, while hurdles star Liu Xiang apologized for his shock withdrawal.

The Chinese scooped up four gold medals on Tuesday, two in gymnastics and one apiece in trampoline and diving, to increase their total to 43, well ahead of the United States (26). But the United States had 79 medals, three more than China.

Three gold medals in sailing and cycling on Day 11 cemented Britain's third place in the medal standings and 16 golds is already its best performance since 1920.

On the last of three nights of gymnastics event finals, Li Xiaopeng and Zou Kai capped China's best Olympic performance ever by grabbing gold medals in the parallel bars and high bar.

Li, the gold medalist on the parallel bars eight years ago in Sydney and the bronze medalist in Athens, scored a highest mark of 16.45 points to reclaim his Olympic crown on the apparatus. South Korean Yoo Won-chul won the silver with 16.25, while Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan captured bronze with a mark of 16.2.

Li Xiaopeng of China celebrates after claiming the title of men's  parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor  Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

"It means a lot to me. I paid a lot for this gold medal... I got through the hard times due to the help of my teammates and coach. I will share the gold medal with them," said Li.

The 27-year-old Li now has 16 Olympic and world titles, consolidating his status as the most decorated Chinese gymnast ever and well ahead of Li Ning's 14.

"He (Chen Xiong) said to me 'remember, your gold medals not only belong to you, but they belong to the whole team,'" he said.

Zou captured his second individual gold with victory in the men's high bar. The 20-year-old won the floor exercise title on Sunday.

"I spent the most time on practising horizontal bar because it is the weakest apparatus for the Chinese team. During previous competitions, I wasn't very stable. I was here to fight for the gold today," said Zou.