[blessed]

Liu Xiang factfile


Ron Lewis

* He became the first Chinese to win an athletics gold medal when he won the 110 metres hurdles at Athens on 2004, equalling Colin Jackson’s world record of 12.91sec.

* Liu earned a reported 160 million yuan (about £12.5 million) last year. China’s first Olympic gold medal-winner, Xu Haifeng, he recived a bonus of 9,000 yuan and had his monthly salary increased from 50.5 yuan to 98 yuan after winning shooting gold in Los Angeles in 1984.

* Liu has taken part in three Olympic torch relays. He was a torch bearer during the Beijing leg of the 2004 Athens Games relay, ran in the 2006 Winter Olympics relay in Florence, Italy and brought the torch to Tiananmen in March this year.

* He won the world title in Osaka, Japan, last year, having been edged out by Ladji Doucore, of France, by 0.01sec in the world championship final in Helsinki in 2005.

* He donated 2.5 million yuan to the Sichuan earthquake relief fund this year.

* Liu once sang live in a concert after an athletics meeting in Shanghai and filmed a music video with South Korean pop star Se7en in Shanghai Stadium.

* Sun Haiping, his coach, described his technique as “terrible” when he first coached him.

* Liu counts Coca-Cola, Nutralite, Cadillac and Nike among his personal sponsors.

* In one television commercial, Liu chases a kangaroo across the Australian outback.

* China Insurance volunteered to donate a policy worth $13,300,000 to protect Liu’s legs in the lead up to the 2008 Games. Liu replied that they were priceless.





















ANNDD....


which do i envy more...




its sad that he pulled out (okay EARTHSHATTERINGHEARTBREAKINGSEIZUREINDUCING, whatever floats ya boat xD), but i know i'll still support him 110% all the way!

[satin_sashes]

he's amazing. can't believe people think he's faking it, even my dad! >=[

have a mini-crush on him at the moment. he's hot!

[singerchick]

I love him!!! He's such a courageous athlete. Despite the tremendous pain he was feeling (did ya'll see the grimacing right before the hurdles heat? ) he still attempted to run just so he didn't disappoint his fans. Pretty Alpha.

I feel so bad for him, especially after seeing the clip on NBC: during the moments just prior to the race he was smacking the wall in frustration. However what truly broke my heart was seeing him cry after he left the stadium and was getting his Achilles iced.

I hope he's doing well mentally, physically, and emotionally. Poor guy.

[blessed]

he's amazing. can't believe people think he's faking it, even my dad! >=[

have a mini-crush on him at the moment. he's hot!

my dad has this conspiracy theory against nike
MAJOR CRUSH!

[JoongBoXiahJang]

Yesterday, billions of people were affected after World Champion Hudler, Liu Xiang withdrew from the Olympics because of a ankle wound. When Liu Xiang leaves the athletic field reluctantly, the entire China's audience felt deeply regret, yesterday when liu xiang accepted the interview the stars also for this reason grasped the his ankle and sigh. His coaches indicated repeatedly that “although Liu Xiang's wound made him withdrew from the competition, he had already made all which he can do, we should and shall always support Liu Xiang.” In the interview, Xiang apologized greatly, and vowed to bounce back after his shock withdrawal from the Olympics.

"So many people have been worried and caring about me. I feel sorry. I could do nothing but pull out of the race," the pain from the foot injury that forced him out was described by Xiang as "unbearable."

he ended his interview with "I am not that type of person. I never quit easily. I believe I will come back!"

　　Yesterday, recording for East Wei Shi, "To cheer the Beijing Olympic Games", Ah Sa (Charlene Choi), although felt sad, but did not made his feeling worst, "At that moment I was really shock, and I thought that it was such a pity. Not to mentioned the reporters only gave us little information that he withdrew for unavoidable reason. Liu Xiang had been very fierce, therefore I was very shock afterward learning that he had an injury for so long. In yesterday performance, Ah Sa specially brought with her, her single "Make a wish", she said "I hoped that each athletes can realize their own Olympic Games, and keep their hopes up even if they don't/didn't win. I refuel for them!”

　　 Regarding, Xiang's sudden withdrewal, Ah Sa spoke frankly, "if you meet him once you would already like/support him. I think his action is worth us respecting, he was wounded, but he still attend the competition and was ready to be running. His withdrewal was because of the pain from his injury, it certainly enough of a reason, and it is much better than having no reasons at all. Although it is a little pity, I will continue to respect him, and I think everyone should continue to support him too!”

credit: chinanews.com

I SUPPORT him as always too!!!
He was the first to get a gold medal in track and field, and will always be!!

[ygb0unce]

I was so disappointed in seeing him withdraw from the race. Everyone was keeping an eye on him in the hurdles, especially with the Olympics in Beijing this year. He has so much support and pressure in China. His expressions were heartbreaking when he reagitated his achilles injury :[

[celena8899]

I know. I hope he feel better, my feelings are nothing compared to his. I heard he kick the wall several times and ripped off his number! His warm ups were a killer too!

[jho]

I was really looking forward to him winning another gold =( I hope he feels better soon!

[Carmen.]

Yeah it was so sad when he pulled out!

My mom and I were like "NOOOOOOOOOO"

Like, to train so hard for something and then not be able to compete?
That SUCKS.

[Joanna]

Liu Xiang! my hurdling hero >< i was looking forward to track events because of him. I was so upset to see what happened >< poor Liu Xiang >< must be in alot of pain.. i really hope he gets well soon and gets plenty of rest! I nearly cried seeing him get pulled out! T__T
haha i had a crush on him when i first saw him in Athens. He's truly an amazing guy ><

[ladyyehse]

i remember when i watched in in the 2004 olympics, i was so happy that he won that i woke up my parents saying! OMG OMG a chinese guy won in a track and field event. i'll support him all the way! He was one of the few atheletes I was looking forward to see competing in the Beijing Olympics. I hope he gets better soon!

[ritzy!]

LOL I've always known him as the Chinese Guy who won track but now I know his name (Well tahnks to the threa din the olympic section )
It sucks that he pulled out but I hope he heals soon...
So cute.

[vanggirlie]

he's only ok looking but i like the pic where he has the flag (is that the chinese flag) on his head. he looks cute in that pics like a cute little boy.

[lovejyk]

I want to see this commercial of him chasing a kangarooo....

[HtyPotter]

yeah, I felt pretty bad that he had to drop out.

[Azura]

hope he recover and come back strong in next game

[NEYUGN93]

sad to see him withdraw from the games =(
damn, i swear he looks like a friend of mine LOL

WDF ?! why would he want to fake his injury ? o_____O"
he looked so dissapointed when he had to withdraw

[joychin89]

I feel really sad for him. I mean,his burdon is tremendous since his whole nation was counting on him at the time he's the weakest with his leg injury. Just imagine how devastated,disappointed,embarrased he would feel. I hope people would stop commenting how he should have continued the race or saying how could liu xiang do that to them. I mean,it's not his fault. >< .Nevertheless,i think he's one of the cutest athletes ever. He really reminds me of Keita Tachibana from w-inds XD

[Brianna<3]

Liu Xiang! I was sad when he had to pull out but I admire that he at least try to go out to the stadium and try to run despite already knowing his injury/pain is unbearable. I know many are disappointed and angry/upset at him but come on nobody is feeling worse than him. Imagine thinking you let ur people/ your nation down. I just hope he can get thru this and come back stronger. He is still my hero.

[¥ēllόЩ]

i was also shocked when he walked away after the false start, even though i had no idea who he was 5 mins before the race aired on tv. lol

i felt rly bad for him and the chinese people. he must have felt so much pressure and stress cos of the high expectations the whole country had in him.

too bad he's leg was injured. at least he did line up at the start, and was ready to run the race, gotta give him props for that.