China’s Most Famous Athlete, Liu Xiang, Pulls Out of Olympics With Achilles Injury
I’m sure you’ve heard that American Tyson Gay just couldn’t get it done because of a hamstring injury, well imagine if Michael Phelps was suddenly injured going into the Olympics and you have China’s Liu Xiang. He’s the most famous athlete in China–even more famous than Yao Ming–most likely because he’s a pioneer. He’s the first ever gold medalist in track and field for his country.
Liu Xiang is the defending Olympic champion and former world record holder in the 110m hurdles. He tried to push out of the blocks in a preliminary heat but grimaced the entire time before the set because of an apparent right Achilles injury.
After a false start (probably the worst thing that could happen), he took off his number and retired. You could see his countrymen and women actually weeping. 
This what it is all about people. I don’t care who you are or where you are from, as a former athlete myself, you gotta feel for Liu Xiang. He didn’t just want to do it for himself, he wanted to do it for his people. Soul models are born this way and I’m sure he’s inspired millions by just attempting to give it a shot. Long live the spirit Liu Xiang. Don’t give up.
Here’s his Athens Olympic gold medal win in 2004:
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August 18th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I feel really bad for him. I hope people understand that he is injured.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
The sad thing is…I heard that the Government told his coaches that he’d better win the gold, because EVERYTHING he did up to that point was for nothing!
Talk about pressure!
In a sense this was better than losing to the Cuban dude, who is the best runner coming in and the world record holder.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Not to nitpick, but given your hard work and dedication, I want to help you be the best you can be. Thus, try to make sure when reporting on Asians that when you go from full name in the first mention to a single name in the second, you use the first name. i.e. (first time) Liu Xiang –> (second time) Liu. That is his family name.
Of course, things are never simple, as both Koreans and Japanese players in the Major Leagues have already turned their names around for “foreign consumption.” (Like Ichiro Suzuki - his family name is Suzuki).
When in doubt, wikipedia is usually pretty good at clarifying what the family name is. Such as this entry on Liu.
Of course, maybe you were trying to be informal and exude warmth towards the poor guy. In that case, the use of Xiang was just right I suppose!
Anyways, sorry to be so pedantic, but I’ve been reading your blog for a while and have great respect for what you do. Feel free to delete this comment if you wish.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I would never delete a comment of constructive criticism.
I actually thought of this as I was posting but neglected to change the error. My bad on that. I thank you so much for bring this up for it’s education for all of us. My intentions were not to be insensitive in any way and the post has since been modified. Thanks for checking out the site and please do come back.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Oh sangjin,
Thanks for the education.
August 19th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
My pleasure. Keep up the great work. I definitely knew you weren’t being insensitive and I appreciated seeing an American take on the Olympics that could for once universalize the experience of a non-American as being representative of the “Olympic spirit.” I only got that insensitive vibe from you guys when you were dissing the hopes and dreams of millions of cheeseheads and hating on Brett Favre and his Packers.
Nah! Just kidding. And….well… you were right about him anyways. He’s a self-centered diva, who, if he were black, would have been eviscerated by the press a long, long, time ago. “Undisciplined thugs” magically transform into “gun-slingers” as the melanin quotient goes down.
Anyways, that’s off topic. Back to Liu Xiang. I’ll take him over Brett Favre any day!
August 19th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Oh Sangjin,
Thanks for stopping by. I’ve been watching the games and the athletes from China rock. I have really enjoyed watching the Chinese divers and gymnast. Come back and see us sometime.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Who cares about Liang besides the Chinese? I didn’t see any outpouring of grief for the injured Tyson Gay. It’s a mystery to me why the American press is making such a big deal about some cat I couldn’t give a shit about.
The Chinese nationalism and narcissism exhibited in these Olympics is startling. They’re acting in the manner that the rest of the world often accuses the USA of acting. Namely, like they’re the one all-important country on this planet, and we’re all supposed to share in their grief for fallen athletes.
Give me a f’in break. I hardly heard a word about Tyson Gay’s hard luck situation.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Kwaku,
Very mature. NOT! Liu was the face of these games for China. So for him to be unable to compete is a huge story.
DAHHHHHH!
August 20th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Kwaku, Friedman whoever you are…this is about the man, not the country.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:21 am
im sorry please go back to running ur my fav