Liu Xiang stays modest ahead of Olympics

SHANGHAI (AFP) –

Liu Xiang of China (C) wins the men’s 110m hurdle event with Jason Richardson (R) and Aries Merritt (both of the US) trailing during their Diamond League athletics meet in Shanghai, on May 19. Liu clocked 12.97sec in wet conditions, a season’s best.

Chinese athletics superstar Liu Xiang is playing down expectations for his performance at the London Olympics despite setting a season’s best time in the 110m hurdles on Saturday.

Liu became China’s first ever Olympic track champion at Athens 2004 but four years later caused national angst when he dramatically pulled out injured in front of a packed Bird’s Nest Stadium at Beijing 2008.

On his home turf in Shanghai at the Diamond League meeting on Saturday, he clocked 12.97sec in wet conditions to beat two Americans, David Oliver and world outdoor champion Jason Richardson.

“I didn’t think I would run within 13 seconds, so seeing 12.97 seconds makes me extremely happy,” he said after his victory.

Speaking to reporters, he sounded a note of modesty, saying it would be an honour merely to be in the Olympics — although he also said he was practicing his English.

While China has yet to pick its three hurdlers, Liu is considered an automatic choice.

“I don’t think about breaking the world record,” he said. “I hope to keep this good form and give full play to my training. My dream is just to stand on the Olympic track.”

Liu Xiang of China celebrates winning the men’s 110m hurdle event during the Diamond League athletics meet in Shanghai, on May 19. Liu clocked 12.97sec in wet conditions, a season’s best.

Fellow competitor Richardson said Liu seemed to draw strength from the home crowd, who roared as one when the Chinese hurdler crossed the finish line.

“He’s incredibly hard to beat here,” Richardson said.

“What was surprising was to see an entire country get behind one athlete. I wish we had a little bit more of that in America.”

But Liu also has to contend with the weight of expectations riding on his shoulders from the world’s most populous country.

Asked if he faced pressure, Liu said: “I’m used to pressure. I’ve never felt pressure on myself. Everyone faces pressure, what you have to do is control it.”

Liu declined to answer questions about his specific goals for the Olympics or how he might handle Dayron Robles, the reigning Olympic champion.

Robles obstructed Liu at the World Championships final last year, causing the Cuban to be disqualified after the two clashed arms.

“I hope to compete against him. But I want to say that every athlete is strong. He is only one. I’m not so bad myself,” said Liu.

Asked about the Achilles problem that forced him out of the Beijing Olympics four years ago, he responded: “We are challenging the extremes, not just having fun, so there is the risk of injury.”

“In Shanghai or overseas, I always do my best,” he said.