Hurdles hero returns

• Source: Global Times
• [09:38 September 21 2009]
• Comments

By Wu Zhe in Shanghai and Zhang Han in Beijing

Chinese track star Liu Xiang (left) and US athlete Terrence Trammell (middle) compete during the Golden Grand Prix in Shanghai Sunday night. Liu narrowly finished in second behind Trammell for his much-awaited comeback before a hometown crowd in Shanghai, looking to recapture some hurdling magic after his shocking withdrawal from the Beijing Olympic Games. Photo: AFP

Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang made a high-profile comeback on Sunday after a shocking pullout during the Beijing Olympics, racing across the finish line shoulder-to-shoulder with his arch rival Terrence Trammell of the US in the same time of 13.15 seconds.

Both believed they were the winner and started to celebrate, until the photo finish showed that Trammell, silver medalist at two Olympic Games and three world championships, was the winner.

Second place meant that the 26-year-old former 110m-world champion and Olympic gold medallist in 2004 in Athens can keep celebrating his much-anticipated comeback.

"I hesitated a bit and started late," he told CCTV after the race. "But I was more and more excited as I ran along, as if I was taken by some spirit."

Despite coach Sun Haiping's warning that he should not run at his full strength for fear of injuring his Achilles tendon again, he caught up with Trammell in the last few hurdles, and hit the finish at full spped.

With the crowd of about 40,000 cheering in thunderous chorus, Liu circled near the finish line like a jubilant child, his unique way of celebrating, and even lay down on the track.

Sun attributed Liu's satisfying performance to three factors: "The excitement from the cheering crowd, a good wind of 1.2 meters per second and the spur of Trammell."

Sun disclosed that, from what Liu told him after the race, his injury did not seem to recur. He is also ready for the National Games in October, Sun said.

Although Liu had downplayed his debut race as simply doing his "job," his return still made the headlines of most Chinese newspapers. Ticket sales increased immediately after the announcement of his appearance.

"I'm so excited with Liu's wining! He won the moment he stepped on that starting line, but I never expected such a perfect return as second place," said Liang Chuan, a Shanghai native holding a huge national flag.

Liang told the Global Times that as a Shanghai native, he had always been Liu Xiang's supporter, including when Liu pulled out of the Olympic Games last year. He and his friends bought tickets as soon as they learned of Liu's participation yesterday.

"The race proved that Liu has resumed his strength. I believe he'll be world champion again," Liang said.