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London 2012: China’s greatest hope Liu Xiang falls at first hurdle

Aug 7, 2012   (6 images)

China's star athlete, Liu Xiang, who won the gold in the 110m hurdles at the Athens Olympics in 2004, crashed out in the first heat in London. Xiang had been unable to compete in Bejing Olympics in 2008 due to an injury and his jix continued. He hit the first hurdle with his lead foot and fell down in pain. The star athlete then kissed the hurdle, hopped off the track and was later helped by his co-athletes as he limped off the track.

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China’s Liu Xiang kisses his hurdle after falling in a men’s 110-meter hurdles heat during the athletics. The Chinese star athlete won the gold in the same event in 2004. His hopes were dashed by injury in 2008. AP

 

China’s Liu Xiang, left, fails to clear a hurdle in a men’s 110-meter hurdles heat as he competes alongside Hungary’s Balazs Baji during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium. AP

 

China’s Liu Xiang kisses his hurdle after falling in a men’s 110-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium. AP

 

China’s Liu Xiang sits on the track after suffering an injury in his men’s 110m hurdles round 1 heat. Reuters

 

China’s Liu Xiang hops off the track after falling in a men’s 110-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium. AP

 

China’s Liu Xiang is helped off the track by Britain’s Andrew Turner, left, and Spain’s Jackson Quinonez after falling in a men’s 110-meter hurdles heat. AP