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8/19/2008 Hopes of a nation dashed as China's Games lose their star performer(The Guardian)Hopes of a nation dashed as China's Games lose their star performerIt does not matter if he returns to the Olympics in London. Liu Xiang - and 1.3 billion people - cannot replace their loss August 18,2008 8:12AM Unifying a fifth of the world's population takes some doing, but Liu Xiang had come pretty close. Two days before the end of the last Olympics, the young sprinter from Shanghai established the format for the next four years of his life when he won gold in Athens, the first Chinese man to triumph in a track and field event in the history of the Games. It was a masterplan with its route clearly mapped out. The final of the 110m hurdles here in Beijing on Thursday night was the destination, and Liu had 1.3bn people following his path. This morning at the Bird's Nest Stadium here in Beijing, China's glorious, spectacular production of the greatest sports show lost its star performer. At 11.45am, workers across the country had stopped when Liu Xiang made his way from the call-room to the track, being greeted by close on 90,000 for a session of track and field where only one race mattered. It was the first round of the 110m hurdles, and from the moment the picture of him warming up hit the giant screens, the cheering started. As he emerged on to the track, the flag-waving began. He took his place in lane two. He adjusted his starting blocks and he took off his tracksuit top. But then when he walked to the line, he had more than a slight limp. He stretched out his right leg. He slipped into position. He moved hesitantly when there was a false start. He stood up and, as quickly as he entered, he left. No matter how many gold medals the host nation win or how fast Usain Bolt ran in the 100m or how often Beijing is mentioned in the same sentence as Michael Phelps, Liu Xiang had provided China with its seminal moment of these Games. The shock was palpable on the people. Workers who had united to watch the first appearance of their sporting hero did not utter a word when he wandered away. They just looked at each other, in disbelief. It does not matter if he returns to the Olympics in London in 2012 to make up for this hell. Or if he regains the world record. Or if he wins the world title next summer. Liu Xiang - and those 1.3 billion people - cannot replace their loss. Since that August evening in Athens in 2004, his every move had been scrutinised. He did not hide away. But he was advised to allow it become part of his preparation. Whatever happened, he would be in the spotlight, and it was only going to grow brighter. Few athletes knew what he was going through, but Cathy Freeman was the exception. In Sydney in 2000, the Australian 400m runner was carrying the weight of a country, an Aborigine who bridged the gap of a nation. "For me, I couldn't afford to get too sentimental about how I made people feel, it's such a personal time in his life, he shouldn't compromise," she said of Liu. "He has to maintain his priorities, keep his perspective. He's already proven that he can perform under pressure and he should pretty much take that model and use it. It's just another day at the office. "I was absolutely honoured. I didn't see it as a distraction or as a negative, I was so confident in my abilities as an athlete ... there was nothing that was going to detract from my performance." And so it proved when she won gold. Only at the end of the race, when she sat on the track looking into space, did the whole occasion get the better of her. She would have still been sitting there if she had her way. Liu knew the pressure, and nothing was going to stop his progress towards Beijing. Except, the curse of the untimely injury. Since May, he has been battling to be fit. Yet it did not stop the biggest scramble for tickets for Thursday night in the Bird's Nest, let alone this morning's round of heats. He had entered the public's prominence when he won gold in Athens, at the time equalling the world record-holder held by Colin Jackson, of Britain, of 12.91. He was the gold medallist in the sport that often defines a Games. China had their talismanic figure, and his every move has been dissected ever since. His victory at the world championships in Osaka last summer only increased the excitement. He had been injured, yes, and in June he had also lost the world record he had taken to 12.88 when Dayron Robles, of Cuba, ran 12.87 in Ostrava. But he did not want to let the people down. The biggest night of them all here was set to be a duel between the pair, but the drama arrived before the final act. Silence among the people. All 1.3 billion of them. CommentsPlease note: In order to post a comment you need to be registered and signed in for guardian.co.uk blogs. Aritz1
August 18, 2008 10:03 AMAshford/gbr It's always sad to see an olympian have to retire due to injury, especially more so when they have a realistic chance of winning. But its probably worse seeing someone retire after they had no chance of winning, and then embarrass their nation by blubbing on live TV. Thats not a one off, its now 2 olympics when I've had to turn the TV off thanks to that. Good luck to China on track+field, regardless of political opinion the games have been very well organised. (Hope they finish above the US of course)[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] hailDamien
August 18, 2008 10:13 AM At least he did not buckle under the pressure of sponsors to compete in the event (a la Ronaldo France 98). If there was a gold medal that China wanted, this would be it. [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Shekky
August 18, 2008 10:49 AMLichfield/gbr I would be saddened if he became villified in China. The Chinese should remember he is a human being, first and foremost, subject to his body's whims. There were scores of articles about the pressure he faced leading up to these Games, and I hope he can just take it on the chin and not look back. He really shows a playful side of China - bubbly, charismatic, a bit of cheek - much more preferable to the automatons of the government.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] seanieh66
August 18, 2008 11:18 AMLondon/gbr The thing that annoys me the most about the women's marathon is this. PR never had a hope of winning and yet again failed quite publically, yet a Briton did manage to come 6th. However, it has all been Paula this, Paula that. No mention of Mara who ran an amazing race and finished in the top ten. Paula talks about 2012, but she'll be too old by then despite what her PR machine might have us believe. Move over and focus on those who did do well.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] DarkwingDuck
August 18, 2008 11:58 AMReading/gbr I stayed up all night to watch Liu Xiang so can only express my disappointment for athletics that a potentially dramatic and great contest has been avoided. I do have sympathy for Xiang, as I'm sure it must be hurting inside, and to lose Trammell as well means the 110m hurdles has just got a lot less interesting. I tend to recall the last week being a bit of a letdown in previous olympics (bar 1996 perhaps) and it seems to be the case again. The athletics tends to be bigged up but this time around it has had Bolt and little else. I hope there is still something to lift these Olympics up and minimise the damage of Xiang's exit.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Goodspeed
August 18, 2008 12:17 PMLondon/gbr Couldn't agree more about PR. And Brendon Holmes was so pleading and pathetic "this isn't the last... please Paula, tell us you'll be back.." Oh ffs. That would be bad enough on its own, but as has rightly been observed the poor girl who equalled any british woman's olympic performance in the marathon in the modern era was completely ignored. 2012 is going to be a shambles - no non-british competitor is going to get a look in... If Liu Xiang teaches us anything its that we have to find a way of releiving the pressure on our athletes.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Cheradenine
August 18, 2008 12:32 PMLondon/gbr This is bad news for Liu Xiang. I expect he'll be sent for a spell in a re-education camp. JimmyGimpo
August 18, 2008 12:45 PM Paula Radcliffe appears to think it's all about her. That makes her - for me at least - hard to like, despite her talent. As for the great Chinese hope - it's a great shame for him personally, but on the other hand a rather amusing dent in the host nation's sense of sporting manifest destiny. A few years ago in Beijing I enjoyed an evening out with a group of football fans - but was slightly alarmed by their insistence that "China will win the World Cup by 2010. We're the biggest country in the world, so we'll be the best." Granted, you'd get a different view in a more worldly-wise place like Shanghai, but ever since I have been amused by China's failures to qualify for World Cups and the like. [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] HuhhotHarry
August 18, 2008 12:46 PMHohhot/chn Having lived in China for the last 6 years, I have seen at first hand how Liu Xiang has been raised to an almost demi-godlike status. In the last 6 hours since his injury forced exit, I have talked to Chinese friends who have turned on him, some even likening him to being a traitor and a demon sent to decieve them. In my experience Chinese people generally are not 'good losers.' You are either number one or nothing. Furthermore, and quite understandably given the countries relatively recent sports development, very few of them have any idea about the realities of sports and just don't understand that Liu could not 'run through the pain' as many seem to think he should have done. Unfortunately for him, I think he will be a bit of persona non grata for the next few months. However, a winter recovering, some good training, and if he can regain the world record next summer, and he is a winner again, most will be forgiven. Look for the banks of empty seats on Thursday night.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] DrMaybe
August 18, 2008 1:04 PM seanieh66 - 38 is old for a marathon runner, but not impossible. The women's marathon has been won by a 38 year old once in its history. Not sure why you forgot that, as it happened all of two days ago. I think Radcliffe will be all of two weeks older at the marathon in 2012 than Constantina Diṭă-Tomescu was at this one. [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Taylor10
August 18, 2008 1:04 PMLondon/gbr Paula Radcliffe = LOSER!!!... just give up now, does she honestly think she's got any chance of winning in 2012..?? She should just retire, which she should have done after that fiasco in Anthens, she only runs well when theres money to be won.. waste of space[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] seanbob
August 18, 2008 1:15 PM Wow the anti-PR mob is still going strong. 'Waste of space'? Really intelligent comment that. Back to the point of the article, great shame for Liu Xiang and China. And for the Olympics itself! Let's hope Britain has someone to carry the flag in one of the top track and field events in 4 years. Slim pickings at the moment.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Skinz
August 18, 2008 1:17 PM Maybe it's because I don't understand the level of Liu Xiang's status in China but the medal table shows plenty of other reasons for the Chinese to be happy.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] pepp
August 18, 2008 1:18 PMSydney/aus it was a magic moment, Cathy.. thankyou for it, an honour to see and be there for it. I reorganised my day to see him run the heat, he was electrifying in Athens... and my other reason was, I wanted to hear again the unearthly roar I was in the middle of that September night at Homebush, Sydney. This rumble began when the starters walked out to the blocks.. we wanted that win for her , and we wanted Cathy to know it was for her. So I was sorry to see it unfold for Liu Xiang. I believed that roar would have come, even though it was just a heat. I felt as one with those waiting in anticipation. But what I will never understand was the silence.. I cannot imagine what 120,000 AU nutters at Homebush that night would have done had Cathy limped . ... silence?? somehow, I doubt it. Yelps, coos of love and sympathy, howls, roars, wild singing, .. any of these.. the situation didn't arise, but now.. I wonder... the silence. I would give a lot to understand that.. [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] remedy83
August 18, 2008 1:20 PMCamden/gbr This story definitely rings a bell; probably most Greeks empathize with what the Chinese felt, when the Kenteris-Thanou scandal ('passing' WADA testings-'motorcycle accident'-eventually handing in accreditations to the IOC and disappearing from the face of Earth) broke out in Athens, in 2004... I'm not implying anything about the Chinese athlete: I'm just comparing the effect on people's hopes and expectations... I myself am Greek, and was volunteering at the Olympic News Service during the Athens Games. I can still remember the shock; we were stunned in front of our screens and absolutely disappointed (and no, not all of us were as knowledgeable of the whole plot, as a few turned out to have been)... For the record, people who had bought the tickets for that day were eventually 'compensated' by witnessing the totally unexpected victory of Fani Chalkia, at the 400 m. hurdles (-race took place around the timeslot of the race Kenteris was expected to run). I'm only mentioning this because the tickets were disproportionately expensive, and I've met Greeks who made ends meet to take their kids to this 'once-in-a-lifetime event'. Chalkia, who obviously had the time of her life, spoke of 'victorious Greek DNA' etc... Four years later -that is, just last Saturday (16/08/08)- Chalkia was announced to have been found positive to M3, and left the Beijing Olympic Village. Greek sports are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. Beijing medal count for the Greek team so far: 1 silver, 2 bronze. Total Athens 2004 medal count: 6 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze. Doing the math is easy; what's behind it, isn't, I suspect. What I'm trying to say, is that it's become so obvious that champion athletes are the ones who either have access to the high-tech, still untraceable drugs, or whose bodies can tolerate/ conceal them best, or who can quit on them just in time and still be eligible for a medal... Olympic games are now nothing but freak games, the arms race for the 21st century. Just take a look at that Phelps guy - I have never seen a weirder silhouette and, again, I'm merely an observer. It just really strikes me when I take a look at photos of Spitz, some thirty years ago... He was winning medals too, lots of them; still, on today's measures, he looks surprisingly... human. The Games are now completely irrelevant. I'm not talking about any 'olympic ideals' (strikes me as a bit weird to talk of 'internationality' regarding any set of ideals, not to mention athletic ones. Every nation has its own set, influenced by history, tradition, politics: end of story!) but, just, does the IOC -or the world, as far as I'm concerned- have any ambitions of dwelling health habits to the people via the Games, in a feast sponsored by soft drink/hamburger/chocolate/TV/computer/car-manufacturing companies? What IS the message we're trying to get through to the people - and most importantly, to the young generation? I know this sounds cliché -probably is, too- but, what is it all about to the kids now passionate with supermen or supergirls, many to be found doped a couple of years later?[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] mullar
August 18, 2008 1:40 PMLondon/gbr You guys really are harsh on Paula Radcliff, calling her a loser when she's set world records and won some big marathons is very over the top. Some marathon runners improve a lot with less training, others have the ability to do masses of training and still show improvements. PR is in the latter camp, she does more mileage than anyone in her training and is totally dedicated to her sport, at the last Olympics she stopped because she wasn't going to win and she was castigated for it (I agreed that she should have finished), this time she keeps going through gritted teeth and she still gets a level of abuse that no other successful British athlete gets, I really do find it strange. If the press focus on her too much that's only because the public have an appetite for stories about one of the best athletes we have produced, and it's hardly her fault.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] BobBarnes
August 18, 2008 2:29 PMLondon/gbr Nice to see people being as childish on this blog as they are on the Bolt blog. I'd assumed Guardian readers were more objective and considered in their views, but recent blogs stink of a Mail-esque reaction, and a Daily Mirror-style attempt to knock the country's most successful winners. PR is the best marathon runner this country has ever produced, and arguably the best the world has ever seen. Her determination to compete and finish *is* to be admired, whatever the anti-PR tribe think. Luck isn't on her side when it comes to the Olympics, but I can think of another former British athlete who had a similar Olympic curse - Colin Jackson. Still, he's a hero because he 'failed' in Barcelona and held a world record. Shame the same can't be said of Radcliffe. Oh..... Such a pity for Liu, because he's a fantastic hurdler. It will be interesting to see how the Chinese squad responds, because just as medal wins in one discipline can inspire competitors in other disciplines, so the loss of a hero and team leader can negatively affect subsequent team performances. Full marks to him for going out there and giving it a go though. I wonder how China would have reacted had he not walked ou tof the ready room at all.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] jamie12
August 18, 2008 2:46 PMStockport/gbr Agree with Pepp: about the silence. There was also the fact that he was not involved in the opening ceremony which struck me as weird at the time. Notsofanatic
August 18, 2008 3:30 PM Just got to see the video with Liu, and it is obvious that young man was in pain and forcing himself to perform against his body's will. There is something about Olympics and other major competitions that give me an unsavory feeling. I'm sure many of the spectators who had high hopes on Liu were saddened and sympathetic to their athlete - but I am also sure many were angry; just as I recall many brits in 2004 being furious about Redcliffe performance (or lack of). Sometimes I feel like if the Olympics were a modern form of ancient gladiators when people would take joy on the suffering of others - maybe that's the reason why I despise Boxing and Wrestling. These athletes are human beings with feelings whom make it there via hard work, dedication and sacrifice - then awful things happen and spectators and fans display their anger sometimes in the most insensitive way. I understand China and Chinese people unwavering desire to 'prove themselves to the world' but the price their athletes are paying borders slavery and abuse - many of them being separated from their families for months and years in order to build these robots. I can only hope China wins all the medals of all colors and all the tallies, because if that's what will make them feel good, accomplished and most importantly save their athletes from agony, then be it. This reminds me another story: in 1994 during the World Cup here in US, in a match between US and Colombia, one Colombian player did a reverse goal that helped US win that game thus ending Colombia's dream of classifying to the quarter finals or something. Upon returning to Colombia, the poor guy was killed by angry compatriots who wouldn't accept the idea of Colombia losing to the US and worst as result of one unlucky move from one of their own players...I recall our news stating, if we had known how big a deal this was for Colombia that ended up costing the live of that player, we would've gladly give them the point and let them classify! luckypeach
August 18, 2008 3:44 PMShanghai/chn I completely agree with Huhhot Harry up in the neimeng. I live in Shanghai and have just spent the w'end up in Beijing. What people outside China won't perhaps realise is that these athletes are usually relatively one-dimensional gold medal meal tickets. It's not their fault, they are identified at an early age as having a 'correct' physiology for a certain sport and given the 'opportunity' of having a 'good' education at a sports school. They train like machines and rarely seem to develop much love for their sport. Liu Xiang, whilst being partly a propaganda machine, has a bit more about him, and has genuinely warmed the cockles of a lot of peoples' hearts. Having said that, this injury could, like all awful things, have a silver lining - if a nation were to realise that athletes are human. But from what I saw of the crowds, particularly when their women's rowers beat the UK, gold is all that matters this time around. There is little sportsmanship. The coaches should crank up the PR machine for this guy, show the kind of schedule he goes through. I keep reading how Phelps eats 12,000 calories a day - where's the stuff on these guys' routines? I can guarantee it ain't much more exciting than eat, sleep and swim either.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] iainl
August 18, 2008 4:18 PMHauppauge/usa Is this the same China that currently sits atop the medals table with more golds than 2nd and 3rd put together? I feel sorry for the guy that his race has been ruined by injury, but for the team as a whole they're not exactly lacking in the winner department. iainl
August 18, 2008 4:27 PM mullar - I obviously can't speak for everyone, but the complaints I've heard (and had myself) were not directed at Radcliffe, but the incredibly annoying media who regarded her disappointing performance more newsworthy than Mara's 6th, or that over in other sports we were gaining medals. unsouthbank
August 18, 2008 4:28 PMLambeth/gbr I am a bit disgusted by some of the anti Paula Radcliffe remarks. She is an athlete, not just of exceptional natural ability, but one who works incredibly hard to make the most of her talent. She is not only the greatest female distance runner that this country has ever produced, but probably the best in the world. Her world record of 2 hours 15 minutes is amazing, has lasted for 5 years so far, and will probably last for a long time to come. In order to reach these standards of performance, she puts herself through an incrdibly punishing training regime, and that is why she is always walking a tightrope between super fitness and injury. She could cut down on her training and settle for mediocrity, but she doesn't. - That is why she has my admiration. As a former marathon runner of modest ability, I know how much it hurts, even when you are fit, and things are going well. I am certain that the idiots having a go at her haven't got a hundreth of her guts and determination. She is a human being, not a machine, and when the body gives up on you, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. But at least she gave it everything, and if she showed a bit of emotion in failure, well once again, she is human and not a machine.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] aprilpulsar
August 18, 2008 4:30 PMJinan/chn I wish Liu Xiang a speedy recovery so he's back on track for the next competition, hopefully without all the undue pressure.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] iainl
August 18, 2008 4:49 PMHauppauge/usa unsouthbank - when Radcliffe set that record 5 years ago she was indeed a top-class athlete. But she's one athlete, and doesn't deserve several times the media coverage of other Team GB members who able to be in the top 10.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] McLefty
August 18, 2008 5:13 PMSurrey/can The Olympics - one of the last refuges for crass, pointless nationalistic fervour. The idea that a sport injury to an injury can cause national mourning and despair.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] unsouthbank
August 18, 2008 5:26 PMLambeth/gbr iainl I mainly agree with you - but that doesn't invalidate my point! She is obviously not at the peak that she was in 2003, but she is still the best we have got, and I simply admire her determination not to compromise and to give it her best shot. Yes, she ultimately failed and fell off the wrong side of the tightrope, but that happens to all great athletes from time to time. In 2012 she will be 38, the same age as this year's winner. The odds are very much against her but I would love to see her try! She reminds me a bit of Ron Clarke, for a time the finest runner of his generation in the sixties, but doomed not to achieve his goal of an olympic gold medal. Somehow, his gsllant failure lives longer in the memory that the success of those who beat him! Yes, of course the media hype is excessive, but that is not her fault. Yes, of course the spotlight should be shared by others, who are also superb athletes in their own way. Maybe it is because the world is full of mediocre runners like me, and perhaps we identify with her pain because we have tasted a bit of it ourselves.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Inzaghi
August 18, 2008 5:57 PMLondon/gbr Aritz1- "It's always sad to see an olympian have to retire due to injury, especially more so when they have a realistic chance of winning. But its probably worse seeing someone retire after they had no chance of winning, and then embarrass their nation by blubbing on live TV. Thats not a one off, its now 2 olympics when I've had to turn the TV off thanks to that." Why bring her into this blog, since there is so much complaint about too much focus on her? She didn't retire this time, probably remembering the abuse she got for it last time from people who have no idea about distance running. Is it wrong to cry afterwards? It isn't helped by a reporter asking about how disappointing it is straight afterwards (i've noticed this recently, treatment of Gail Emms was particularly insensitive). Skinz- it is the prestige of a track event, but more importantly it dispels the idea that Asian people are unable to sprint. They don't feel weak as a race as a result of Liu Xiang's success. Look at the way a first individual gymnastics medal was greeted in the UK (Louis Smith). It was sad to watch Liu Xiang struggle, watching him try to warm-up it was clear he wouldn't be able to compete. I think it might have been even worse if he tried to run the race. What made it worse for me was that the crowd didn't seem aware of it, after the false start he was clearly in pain, but there was no reaction from the crowd at that point. [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] donoinchina
August 18, 2008 6:43 PMChengdu/chn Hi my name is Don ORiordan I am a football coach working in China for Sheffield United FC with our club here in Chengdu the Chengdu Blades. Recently myself and our fitness coach Mark Laws have been working with the China Womens Olympic Football Team that won their group but failed to progress after losing to Japan in the Quarter Final. I have been in China now for 3 years or so and in that time I have seen the huge expectation heaped on Liu Xiangs shoulders to deliver gold in these Games. He is a fantastic athlete and I feel that it was not only his dream to win the gold medal but more than anything he wanted to win it to put smiles back on the peoples faces in this country because many people have had to endure so many bad and sad things this year i.e. the earthquake here in Sichuan and floods and heavy snow in other parts of the country where so many people have died. A lot of people have suffered misery and Liu Xiang like the China Womens team I have being working with, just wanted to give them something to smile about by being the best in the world. Sadly both Liu and the women failed to deliver but it was not for the lack of trying. Having been a professional player for 25 years in England playing with different clubs I suffered an achilles tendon injury playing for Notts County at Old Trafford in 1991 on the first day of the season. This was meant to be my biggest season of my career but this injury stopped me from playing another minute in the campaign that season. I just want to explain to people (who maybe through lack of knowledge of this injury), that it is impossible to run without pain and basically your brain takes over and says I cant run because there will be severe pain that will be intolerable and so you just cant run.For me it was devastating not to be able to play again that season especially seeing the team get relegated without me being able to help but compared to Liu Xiangs situation that was nothing. He has had the expectations of 20% of the worlds population on his shoulders and I can only presume that today he wanted to have a go to see could he get through the pain barrier which was impossible when it comes to this injury. I know through relaible sources that have recently worked with him that he wanted to win the gold in style by trying to break the WR in the final but now his dreams are shattered along with every other chinese person. It was almost like another natural disaster that happened to this country because the people have been in shock since it happened. He is their King and when people realise that he tried his best to deliver even today when he knew he had a problem I believe that his crown will rightly be restored . Like me many years ago he was hoping for a miracle and hoping that the pain might disappear sadly it didnt. He will be back from this setback he will put smiles back on the faces of his fans for years to come I am sure. The people of China have no need to doubt whether he had the stomach for this situation for sure he did he just could not beat the pain barrier, nobody can. So to the people of China believe in Liu Xiang he tried his best to win the gold medal for you all dont turn against him now when he needs you most. [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] donoinchina
August 18, 2008 6:48 PMChengdu/chn Just an update having read my comment I meant to say it is impossible to run with this pain not without pain. [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] SabinaSH
August 18, 2008 8:42 PM Witnessing Liu Xiang's withdrawal from the game is a very disheartening experience for me as a Chinese. This also makes me rethink how we should look upon an athlete. We are for certain amazed by the brilliant performance by athletes. But we should never forget the tear and sweat the athletes shed in their training, and all the sacrifice they make. Please pay respect to every athlete, including the one who has 'disappointed' you. [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] McLefty
August 18, 2008 9:38 PMSurrey/can "But we should never forget the tear and sweat the athletes shed in their training, and all the sacrifice they make" Sacrifice for what? What are they trying to achieve?[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] windbag
August 19, 2008 1:16 AMYarram/aus If he was as injured as his melodramatic pre-race antics suggests, why did he even show up? It looked like a performance put on entirely for the benefit of the Central Party Committee.[Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Comments (2)
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