What a shame!


Olympics: Athletics - Defending champion Liu Xiang pulls out of 110m hurdles | Sport | guardian.co.uk

A capacity crowd at the Bird's Nest Stadium was stunned into silence this morning as the Olympic 110m hurdles champion and Chinese national hero Liu Xiang withdrew injured from the first round of the event.

"Liu Xiang has two injuries, one in his foot and one in his leg," his coaches told a news conference. "One of the injuries is an accumulated injury."

Tickets for the morning qualifying session were entirely sold out and the atmosphere electric, solely because the Chinese fans were so keen to watch Xiang race in the final heat of qualifying.

When the gun went, Xiang was tentative from the blocks. The runners were recalled for a false start. Xiang bent forward, clutched his leg and turned to walk off the track.

The Games have lost one of their biggest stars, and been robbed of one of the most anticipated events. Xiang first suffered the injury in May and had been battling to recuperate ever since, his desire to race clearly outstripping his fitness. The injury had done nothing to dissuade the Chinese fans' anticipation of watching him race.

After Terrence Trammel, the USA's double Olympic silver medallist, pulled up injured after the first hurdle and the European champion Stanislavs Olijars pulled out before his heat, the gold will almost certainly be won – barring mishaps – by the Cuban world record holder Dayron Robles, whose clash with Xiang had promised to be so exciting.