Superstar Liu injured in 2nd Olympics in a row

Agence France-Presse

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Chinese athletics icon Liu Xiang suffered more Olympic pain here on Tuesday, August 7, as he crashed out in the opening round of the 110 metres hurdles

China's Liu Xiang reacts after falling while competing in the men's 110m hurdles heats at the athletics event during the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN

LONDON, United Kingdom (UPDATED) – Chinese icon Liu Xiang suffered fresh Olympic Games heartbreak Tuesday, August 7, when he crashed out of the 110m hurdles while double 100m champion Usain Bolt cruised casually through his 200m heat.

Former Olympic champion and world record holder Liu, 29, had been left distraught in 2008 when he was forced to withdraw just moments before his opening heat in front of his home fans at the Beijing Games.

His return to the Olympic arena on Tuesday lasted just a split second when he ploughed into the first hurdle with his left leading leg and crashed heavily to the track.

Liu, who has been troubled by back and foot problems, eventually got up and hopped down the track to be embraced by his fellow competitors, winning warm applause from the stadium packed with 80,000 stunned spectators.

He was helped off the track by Britain’s Andy Turner and Spain’s Jackson Quinonez before being taken to the Olympic Stadium medical centre in a wheelchair.

American Aries Merritt, the leading hurdler this season, said he felt sorry for Liu.

“It was just terrible. For that to happen to one of the best hurdlers of all time is just a tragedy and I hope he’s OK,” said Merritt, whose achievement in running the fastest ever Olympic heat of 13.07sec was overshadowed by Liu’s distress.

“He looked fine before the race, like nothing was wrong with him. He warmed up great. He always has a good warm-up and he was happy and so I don’t think anything was wrong with him going into the race.

“I just think he made a small mistake.”

Bolt, fresh from running the second-fastest time in history to retain his 100m title on Sunday, began his bid to keep his 200m title by winning his heat in 20.39sec.

“That was an easy run. I am enjoying it,” said the Jamaican star. “This is my favorite event so I am looking forward to it.

“It’s getting pretty chilly. They say it should be good on Thursday for the final. We’ll see. I have heard that before.”

World 100m champion, and Bolt’s compatriot, Yohan Blake also made it through to the next round

“I did what my coach said and qualified. I’m feeling good, that’s why they call me the beast. The track is fast,” said Blake, who took the silver medal in the 100m.

“I’m not really focusing on beating Usain. I’m concentrating on running my race.”

Later Tuesday, Australian world champion Sally Pearson is favorite for the women’s 100m hurdles gold.

Pearson has emerged as the dominant force in women’s short hurdles, racing the fourth fastest time ever (12.28sec) in winning world gold last summer.

“If it all goes to plan I should be winning, especially as my personal best is much better than theirs,” she said.

Five-time Olympic champion Chris Hoy kept his bid for a history-making keirin cycling gold on track as he surged into the second round.

If successful later Tuesday, Hoy could overtake Steve Redgrave’s haul of five golds to become the first Briton to own six Olympic golds.

Hoy equalled Redgrave’s tally last week when he anchored Britain’s sprint team to victory.

Britain will also be eyeing more cycling gold later through Laura Trott and Victoria Pendleton.

The men’s football finalists will be decided when Mexico tackle Japan and South Korea meet Brazil. – Dave James, Agence France-Presse

For more on the Olympics, visit the Olympics: London 2012 Microsite

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