Source: CCTV.com

08-18-2008 15:34

Defending Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China, has pulled out of the 110 meter hurdles event at the Beijing Olympics due to a foot injury. At a press conference on Monday morning, his coaches said he tried his best to fight through the pain.

In the first round's last heat of the men's 110 meter hurdles, Liu Xiang quit the race after Dutchman Marcel van der Westen's false start.

China's Liu Xiang (L) prepares prior to the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the  National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest,  during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing,  China, Aug. 18, 2008. The defending champion Liu Xiang dropped out after getting injury. (Xinhua/ Li Ga)

He then tore the race number off his leg and limped into the stadium's tunnel. The scene stunned the crowd watching at the Bird's Nest.

Sun Haiping, Liu Xiang's coach, says "Liu Xiang quit the match due to a very painful foot injury. The Achilles's tendon in his right foot was injured even before the Athens Olympics. And recently it became worse."

Liu Xiang exacerbated his tendon injury in last Saturday's training. It improved slightly after medical treatment. The hurdler was still confident ahead of the race, but while he warmed up he felt severe pain in his foot again. He received immediate treatment and even though it didn't help ease the pain, Liu Xiang tried his best to run in the race.