Source: China Daily
08-19-2008 07:51
Special Report: 2008 Beijing Olympic GamesLiu Xiang is not the only athlete to have failed to shine at the Beijing Olympics for a variety of reasons.
Prior to Liu's demise, American high hurdler Terrence Trammell, who came second to Liu at both the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2007 World Championships, had to pull up in his heat due to a strained hamstring.
On Saturday night, sprinter Tyson Gay, a pre-Games favorite for the men's 100m, also made an early exit.
His time of 10.05 in the semifinal put paid to his anticipated showdown with Jamaican duo Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell.
Similarly, US world champion Bernard Lagat, who was chasing gold in both the 1,500 m and 5,000 m, was eliminated in the 1,500 m semifinals. He is yet to begin his challenge over the longer distance.
On Sunday, women's marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe's bid for Olympic glory also ended in disappointment, as the Briton could manage only 23rd place in the race won by Romanian Constantina Tomescu.
Radcliffe was visibly hampered by a thigh injury that she later said had almost prevented her from competing.
Chronology of injuries
Liu Xiang and Sun Haiping formed a formidable partnership in March 1993 as athlete and coach.
But in 2005 Liu was hit by the first in a series of injuries.
Feb 15, 2005: After an outdoor training session, Liu strains his left ankle while walking up a slope to his dormitory.
As it is his first injury he does not tell his coach, but instead applies an ice pack to his ankle.
The next day, the hurdler's injury gets worse, but an examination shows he has not suffered a fracture.
